Tell us what you do for a living?
I am a film and television producer and I am co-owner/Managing Director of production company, Rogan Productions.
Are you doing what you thought you’d be doing after you left school?
In a way, yes. I always knew I wanted to run my own company, but I never really knew what type of company it would be.
What would you say is your biggest achievement to date, the thing you’re most proud of? Professionally or personally!
Building my family and my business. My husband and I work alongside each other and we have two children. We curate a familial ethos in our business and we have built it around our family life. Being able to blend the personal and professional gives me the opportunity to balance my commitments, responsibilities (and social life!) as much as possible.
Was there a particular teacher, or a moment at school that particularly inspired you?
Cecilia Galloway, former Headteacher. To me, she was the perfect blend of smart, kind and quietly terrifying! But most importantly, she would only accept your best. Your very best. She taught me that no matter who you are, success is in reach for everyone. As long as you are prepared to work for it.
How important do you think your school days were in shaping who you are today?
Incredibly important. At the Latin, I had friends and knew people who had varied experiences and outlooks on life. The rich and deep history of the school helped cultivate an appreciation for history and tradition but has made me no less forward-thinking in life.
What’s your work:life balance like? How important is that to you?
It is incredibly important to me. I don’t always get it right, but I feel it emotionally if I’m not making the right amount of time for a certain area of my life. It’s important to listen to yourself, realise what is needed and address it.
What advice would you give to today’s students who may be struggling to choose which path to take beyond school?
If you aren’t sure, it’s important not to panic. It is highly likely that your career will be made up of various jobs, possibly across industries. If you are unsure of which path to take, try to make decisions that broaden your horizons rather than narrow them. Apart from formal education, internships, networking events and coffee meetings are also great ways of getting visibility and advice on jobs and industries you may have interests in working within.
Finally, do you have a favourite quote, expression or mantra which inspires you to keep going?
Several! When a member of the team may feel stressed or overwhelmed, I’ve been known to say “there is only one way to eat an elephant: one bite at a time”. But one I would share for those who worry they haven’t made the right decisions and worry about where they’ll end up: “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”
