Life beyond Radford
Sharife Rahmani
- Bachelor Degree, The Australian National University, Economics, Commerce, Statistics, 1993-1998
- Chief Operating Officer, Energy Safe Victoria, 2017-Present
- Head of Strategy, Suncorp, 2011-2017
- Founder, Business Consult Africa, 2010-2010
What does life look for you now?
I have recently moved down to Melbourne with my wife, Lucy, and child, Felix. We've had a lot of change in the past years, Felix was born in 2016 and I decided to leave the banking and finance sector and pursue something with a little more of a social conscience.
Life now is busy with work and a young child, whilst also trying to explore and enjoy Melbourne.
Tell us what you are passionate about?
I remain passionate about sport. I played a lot of hockey and cricket at Radford and this continued beyond school. Whilst living in Edinburgh for 8 years I continued to play these sports across Scotland and the UK. Since I have returned to Australia I have played less team sports and done more individual things such as ocean swims and half marathons.I am also passionate about travel. Up until the arrival of Felix I was able to fulfil this passion, not so much now. I loved seeing new places and experiencing new cultures. I was lucky enough to even get engaged to Lucy on a trek through the Himalayas in Nepal.
When you were young, what were you hoping to be when you grew up?
I never really knew what I wanted to be when I grew up - I still don't now. I always knew what I liked (logical stuff, telling stories, solving problems) and what I wasn't a huge fan of (drama, science). Over the years I have continued to test myself to understand what I enjoy doing and consequently what makes me perform best.
What is your favourite Radford moment?
It is tough to name a specific moment, but I would say that my last couple of years at Radford were ones I will look upon most fondly. We had such a great time as friends and school mates and many of those connections remain strong even now, many years later.
Do you have a particular role model or inspirational figure from Radford or now?
My English teacher in Year 11, Mr Rose, is someone I look back upon very fondly. I never did that well at English but that year I just seemed to 'get it' and to trust my interpretation of what I was reading, seeing, hearing. This helped me both in English but throughout my working life
How easy was it to decide what to do in life?
I still don't know! My theory always was if it sounds interesting and challenging give it a go
Did your further study or career go exactly as you'd planned?
I had no idea where I'd be or what I'd do. I always intended to give working overseas a go, but never expected to live in Edinburgh for 8 years. I certainly didn't expect I'd see myself spending a year in Malawi working to start up an NGO. But if I had my time again I'd make the same decisions.
What do you know now, that you wish you'd known when you were at Radford?
To enjoy and appreciate the experience. It is providing the best foundation I could hope for
What advice do you have for current students?
Trust your own intuition - be confident
Anything else that you would like to share?
I feel very fortunate that my parents could make the sacrifices to afford to send me and my siblings to Radford