By Stephanie Conti – Strategic Marketing Lead, Capability ANZ

When I began my career, marketing wasn’t exactly where I thought I would end up. My journey has always been driven by a passion for people and a commitment to learning, upskilling, and reskilling. Over time, I realised that while I wasn’t a traditional marketer, I was drawn to the very core of what drives this field—the desire to connect, create impact, and bring out the best in others.

Discovering Marketing Capability

From my earliest experiences, I’ve always been passionate about helping people learn and grow. While I didn’t start out in marketing, I found that my strength lay in understanding people, their development needs, and how best to support their journeys. Working across Learning & Development, HR, and Marketing gave me the unique perspective to recognise how critical marketing capability is to organisational growth.

Today, as Strategic Marketing Lead of Capability at ANZ, I’ve been fortunate to spend 13 years with the banking group, collaborating with diverse teams and leaders, and always keeping a focus on building a culture of continuous learning. Whether it’s developing foundational marketing skills or partnering with experts to provide the best development opportunities, my focus has always been on supporting people to become industry-leading marketers.

The importance of upskilling and reskilling

What excites me most about working in marketing capability is the ever-evolving landscape of the industry. With new technologies, tools, and strategies emerging constantly, marketers have an incredible opportunity to continuously learn, adapt and evolve. However, that requires a focus on upskilling and reskilling. It’s not enough to be great at one thing; marketers must be open to learning new things and taking on new challenges.

I’ve seen firsthand how empowering people with the right skills and mindset can have a profound impact on their careers and the success of their teams. Whether it’s through formal learning programs, mentorship, or cross-functional collaboration, creating opportunities for growth is at the heart of what I do.

Genuine interest in people

My approach has always been people-first. I truly believe that when you invest in people, the results speak for themselves. Whether it’s working closely with marketers to identify learning needs, partnering with leaders to align development initiatives with business objectives, or providing hands-on support, my goal is always to help people reach their full potential.

Being able to guide marketers as they navigate their careers—particularly in such a fast-paced, ever-changing industry—is incredibly rewarding. I love being part of their journey, seeing how they grow, and knowing that I’ve played a small role in helping them reach new heights.

Thirst for learning

At the core of everything I do is a deep-seated curiosity and desire to learn. I’ve always approached my career with the mindset that there is always more to discover, whether it’s a new skill, a different perspective, or an emerging trend. This thirst for learning is what keeps me motivated and engaged in my work every day.

The marketing landscape is constantly shifting, and I believe that to stay ahead, you must always be willing to learn and adapt. This mindset has not only helped me grow personally but has also allowed me to build learning programs that resonate with marketers and help them stay ahead of the curve and future proof their careers.

 Reflecting on the journey

Whilst I still have lots ahead of me, reflecting on my career so far, I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to work with talented people, lead meaningful initiatives, and make a difference in the lives of others. It’s been a brilliant journey—one that hasn’t always followed the traditional path but has always stayed true to my passions for people, learning, and growth.

Looking forward

As I look ahead, I’m excited about what the future holds. The marketing industry is only becoming more dynamic, and the need for capability-building will continue to grow. I’m eager to continue helping marketers develop the skills they need to succeed, adapt, and thrive in this ever-evolving field. Whether it’s through new learning programs, strategic partnerships, or innovative initiatives, I’m committed to ensuring that marketers have the tools and opportunities they need to excel.

My journey keeps evolving and the path is far from straight, but that’s what makes it exciting!