Name: Donna Burridge
Role: Operations Manager
Location: Sydney

Tell us a little bit about your role at DSPANZ.
I’ve been at DSPANZ for over 4 years as the Operations Manager working from a Sydney base. As we’ve grown and matured, my areas of responsibility have changed to meet the needs of the organisation. Currently I do all the behind-the-scenes stuff to make sure everything goes according to plan and things aren’t forgotten. I also look after the Board secretariat, staff wellbeing, accounts and chip in with membership, events and anything in between that needs my assistance.

What are some interesting facts about you?
I owned a wrought iron factory back in the day.

What keeps you busy outside of your work life and DSPANZ?
Home maintenance and I love to breathe life into old furniture ...think they call it "refurbishing".

What would you love to see happen with technology in the next 50 years?
I'm amazed by the minds of those who design/create technology ...think internet. I'm interested to see where they take Quantum computing ...though I'm still getting my head around all of this.

Which is best - the book or the movie?
Always the book. You get all the details so your imagination can run its own mini movie.

What has been the most rewarding part of your career so far?
Being a part of the growth and change for the organisation. DSPANZ exists for all the right reasons not just for show.

If you had your own talk show, who would you invite as your first guest?
Freddy Mercury (if he was alive) or Julia Gillard.

And finally, what’s the weirdest food you’ve ever eaten?
Witchetty grubs in the 80s.