Ten years ago, I met this little mare, Erin Elegant Isle - Ellie. What neither of us could have known at the time resulted in the Partnership of Dreams. We rode, we swam, and she showed me what she knew from her years of training which was very different to mine. I was curious, and we worked out together how we could make it work.

Being “The First” isn’t just about achievement - it’s about challenge, courage, and change. In this reflection for International Women’s Day 2025, Vicki shares her experiences as one of the few women in a male-dominated industry and the lessons learned from breaking barriers, asking for what didn’t yet exist and leading the way for others to follow.

Vicki Macdermid is an expert in Equine Leadership and knows how many of us become overwhelmed by the need to get things done with limited resources. We can overlook the subtle dynamics that drive effective teamwork when we don’t take time out.

Effective leadership requires more than strategy; it demands trust, connection, and emotional intelligence - traits not able to be taught through traditional training. Through my EQiLead program, with horses, I help leaders cultivate these skills in an immersive...

Vicki Macdermid Advisor & Leadership Coach
Harnessing the Power & Wisdom of Horses What makes a great leader? Vicki Macdermid can show you, and there’s no whiteboard in sight. What are some of the roles you’ve held in your career? My roles have included...

These experts explain how corporate retreats target company culture, prioritising team unity, revitalising communication and sharpening decision-making abilities. 

According to Makinex chair Anthony Moss GAICD, corporate retreats are a tool to help boards and management gain new perspectives and thus make better decisions. Moss is also founder and chair of the CEO Advisory Board, the Executive Leaders Group, and founder and director of strategy consultancy Lead Your Industry.

In the words of Carolyn Edwards of Pitcher Partners after attending an EQiLead Workshop where we explored Adaptive Leadership.

On reflection of the day that I spent with Vicki and her horses, a particular saying keeps coming to front of mind by Benjamin Franklin
“Tell me and I forget, Teach me and I remember, Involve me and I learn.”

Leadership isn’t just about authority. It’s about how connection and intention come together to create genuine influence. In this reflection, Vicki shares a powerful moment from an EQiLead workshop where a simple shift in awareness turned hesitation into confidence and showed what true leadership presence feels like.

What happens when diversity meets doubt? This reflection explores the very real tension between being chosen for representation and for relevance - and how easily we can slip into proving our worth instead of owning it. A candid look at confidence, bias and belonging in leadership.

As we approach IWD2019 it has caused me to reflect on some of my career as a woman in a largely male dominated industry. While the number of women has increased at graduate levels, there has been very little movement at the top which means the industry is still dominated by men.

Even at an early age, we begin to absorb the messages around us about who we should be and what’s possible. This articles explores how subtle social conditioning shapes our sense of identity, work, and gender often without us realising. A timely reflection on bias, balance and the quiet power of awareness at any age.

True leadership starts with awareness; of ourselves, of others, and of the signals in between. In this story from an EQiLead workshop, a simple interaction between a participant and a horse reveals how curiosity, empathy and attention build stronger connections in teams. It’s a reminder that perfection isn’t the goal, presence is.

Whether in the board room or the round yard, facing a team of 600 or a 600 kilogram horse, wearing high heels or cowboy boots, understanding emotional intelligence and its importance is a key element to any leader’s success.

No one knows this better than partner at Pitcher Partners Accounting firm, Vicki Macdermid.
First joining the Pitcher Partner team in 1994, the Pakenham South accountant has an extensive and experienced career in the professional service and corporate world.