Give to Gain: Charmaine Pichler

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In a year where International Women’s Day celebrates the idea of Give to Gain, Charmaine brings the theme to life in a grounded and practical way. She is not someone who seeks the spotlight or speaks in sweeping visionary terms. Instead, she stays true to her values, sees the vision clearly enough to integrate it into daily work and brings people with her by making the path forward understandable and achievable. As a Northern Beaches local, she is proud to employ local people and contribute to a community that values balance, nature and wellbeing.

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A Journey Built on Trust and Opportunity

Charmaine’s leadership journey began early. After a period with a global organisation, she found herself facing redundancy until a senior leader recognised something in her and offered an opportunity that changed her trajectory. He took her around the world in leadership roles and gave her room to grow. During that time, she launched a women’s leadership group in the United States, a program that thrived and later expanded into the APAC region. The cultural diversity made replication more challenging, but the experience reinforced her belief in the power of women supporting women.

Another mentor at WL Gore taught her a lesson she still carries. A leader does not always answer the question. Instead, he would ask what she thought should happen. It was uncomfortable at first, but it built confidence, clarity and ownership. These early experiences shaped the leader she is today.

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Leadership Grounded in Values

Charmaine’s leadership is defined by honesty, trust and consideration. She does not lead with noise or bravado. She leads by being consistent, by staying human and by making the vision clear enough that people can see themselves in it. Early in her career she learned that everyone arrives with a bucket of trust, and only they can empty it. That philosophy shapes the environment she creates today.

She also draws on the Waterline Theory, a concept she uses to help her team make decisions with confidence. “If you imagine the business as a boat, some decisions are above the waterline. You can drill a hole there and the boat will stay afloat. Those decisions people can make independently. But decisions below the waterline have the potential to sink the boat, so those ones require collaboration and shared judgement.” It is a simple idea that empowers people while protecting the whole.

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Navigating Challenges with Strength and Self-Belief

Although she now works in a female-dominated industry, her early career included moments of exclusion and not being taken seriously, particularly in APAC sales environments where cultural norms did not always favour women. She overcame those barriers by being exceptionally good at what she does and by refusing to take things personally. Her resilience became her credibility.

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Building Teams Through Generosity

For Charmaine, building strong teams starts with understanding what motivates each individual. She believes leaders should give more training, more development, more emotional intelligence and more genuine acknowledgement. Sometimes, she says, it is as simple as asking someone how they like to be thanked.

She also believes organisations need to be more attuned to what women want and need in order to thrive. For some it is money, for others flexibility, development or external support. She notes that women often do not ask for a pay rise, so leaders need to create space for those conversations.

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Supporting Women and the Northern Beaches Community

At Weleda, wellbeing is not a slogan. It is a foundation. Charmaine sees her work as contributing to progress for women by advocating for holistic health, self care and environments where women feel seen and supported. Being based on the Northern Beaches adds another layer of meaning. Weleda employs local people, supports local families and contributes to a community that values balance, connection and a slower, more intentional way of living. It is a business that gives back to the place she calls home.

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What Give to Gain Means to Her

To Charmaine, Give to Gain is about generosity without ego. Giving trust, giving opportunity and giving encouragement, and watching how those gifts multiply through teams and communities. It is leadership as contribution rather than performance.

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The Human Side of Leadership

A woman she admires right now:

She admires Brené Brown for her ability to bridge the worlds of men and women with honesty and vulnerability. She also draws inspiration from Ita Wegman, Weleda’s founder, a visionary and pioneer in holistic health far ahead of her time.

A book or idea that shaped her thinking:

A book that shaped her thinking is Mia Freedman’s brutally honest account of flaws and struggles, a reminder that imperfection is not something to hide.

A piece of advice she returns to often:

If you have never tried, you will never know.

One thing she wishes more people understood about leadership:

It is rewarding, but it can be lonely. Leaders need people they can speak to without judgement.

What advice would you give to your 18 year old self as a woman navigating her career and growth?

Trust your instincts and believe in your abilities: Don’t give in to impostor syndrome. Speak up about what you want and don’t be afraid to ask for it. When the right opportunity comes along, have the courage to step up and take on the challenge. Stay curious, keep learning, enjoy the journey, and lead with both kindness and conviction.