For more than four decades, Havelock Housing has played a vital role in supporting people experiencing housing stress across Canberra, delivering safe, affordable homes and services that help individuals and families rebuild stability and dignity.
Under the leadership of CEO Kylie Maidens, the organisation continues to strengthen its service delivery model, culture and operational foundations, with a clear focus on consistency, quality and peoplefirst leadership across the community housing sector.
Kylie’s career story is a powerful reminder that leadership does not follow a single path, and that belief in yourself can be just as important as any qualification.
A career built on courage, not credentials
Reflecting on her journey, Kylie admits that taking part in a career story prompted a surprising moment of reflection.
“It really made me think about how I got here,” she says. “About hard work, about saying yes to opportunities, and about not saying no to myself.”
Unlike many of her peers, Kylie did not follow a traditional path into leadership. She chose not to pursue higher education, something she is very open about, moving straight into the world of work shortly after high school.
“When I look at people around me, sometimes I still think, how did I get here?” she reflects. “But what I know now is that someone’s capability is not defined by the certificate is framed on a wall.”
From early on, Kylie learned to focus not on what she could not do, but on what she could do, a mindset that would define her career and leadership style.
Finding ambition early
Kylie began her career in the not-for-profit sector in the role of Office Coordinator at Lifeline Australia, and it didn’t take long for her ambition to form.
“I knew very early where I wanted to be,” she says. “I wanted to be the CEO of a small NFP.”
That clarity became her compass and over the next two decades, Kylie worked steadily toward that goal, building experience, capability and credibility through hands on service delivery, operational roles and leadership positions across the sector.
At the same time, she was forming strong views about the kind of leader she wanted to be.
Leading with empathy
Over the past 20 years, leadership styles have shifted dramatically, particularly within purpose driven organisations. But Kylie’s leadership philosophy was remarkably consistent from the start.
“I always knew I wanted to lead with empathy and kindness,” she says. “That has never changed.”
Kylie points to former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as a key source of inspiration. For Kylie, leadership is about tenacity and determination, but just as importantly, about humanity.
A brief detour and a valuable lesson
At one point, Kylie found herself leaving the notforprofit sector, not by choice but due to a departmental closure and redundancy. She took a role in the corporate world, a move that quickly confirmed what she already suspected.
“My cup was never going to be full there,” she says frankly.
The experience reinforced something fundamental about Kylie’s values and motivations, showing that purpose mattered too much. As soon as the opportunity arose, she returned to the notforprofit sector, where she now plans to remain for the rest of her career.
“My work is grounded in a values system,” she says. “That is nonnegotiable for me.”
Leadership at Havelock Housing
At Havelock Housing, Kylie brings that valuesdriven approach into every aspect of organisational leadership.
She is particularly passionate about service delivery consistency across the community services sector, believing it to be the cornerstone of sustainable impact.
“Service delivery is everything,” she explains. “To do it well, we need strong infrastructure underneath, such as business mapping, clear processes and operational discipline. That is what allows peoplecentred work to truly thrive.”
Culture, however, always comes first.
“Culture is the best possible foundation,” Kylie says. “If you get that right, the rest follows.”
Paying it forward
Some of Kylie’s career highlights are not programs or projects, but seeing what people can achieve.
Early in her career, she was supported by inspirational leaders who believed in her potential. Now, she is committed to paying that forward through mentoring and peer support.
“Mentoring is one of the most worthwhile, costeffective and positive things this sector can do,” she says.
Kylie has mentored colleagues who have gone on to lead major service delivery programs in the Northern Territory, the UK and with the United Nations, with others now operating at executive and senior director level in government.
“There is honestly nothing that makes me happier than seeing people reach their full potential,” she says.
She is also passionate about creating exposure for emerging leaders, deliberately bringing junior team members into conferences, government meetings and strategic conversations.
“They need to see what is possible,” she says. “That visibility can change everything.”
Advice for the next generation
Her advice is both practical and encouraging. Think about the career you want and build it deliberately. Do not be discouraged by rejection, a ‘no’ today does not mean you are not good enough. Often, it simply means ‘not yet’.
“Keep going,” she says. “Next month. Next year. Until you get where you need to be.”
Looking ahead
As CEO of Havelock Housing, Kylie remains focused on strengthening service delivery, nurturing culture and developing the next generation of leaders within the sector.
Bloom is proud to support Havelock Housing and grateful to Kylie for sharing her story, her leadership and her belief that life truly begins at the end of your comfort zone.