Shattering Identity Bias

Shattering Identity Bias

Mona Shindy

Captain Mona Shindy, CSC is a retired Australian Naval Officer with an extraordinary story of resilience and success. Coming from humble migrant beginnings, she took many paths not well trodden to become a highly successful strategic leader, engineer, project director, change agent and author. She has been the "minority" in the different community environments in which she lives. Throughout her journey, she encountered and overcame many barriers and setbacks born of bias and prejudice. Her story is one of courage, being true to self and carving out a path to success against the odds. In the process she created a legacy that is both inspiring for minorities as well as educative for organisations serious about addressing blindspots to effectively capitalise on a diversity of thought and perspective.

It is CAPT Mona Shindy's career memoir recounting experiences and lessons learnt challenging stereotypes across traditionally segregated communities. It is her story about being true to self and claiming the right not only to belong but to thrive in communities where parts of her identity made her different to the majority. Achieving success as a military officer while honouring her beliefs as a practicing Muslim, CAPT Shindy navigated many paths never previously trodden to build trust and add real value. At times it involved confronting prejudice, highlighting blind-spots, making a stand and challenging entrenched biases.

1. Minorities seeking inspiration (especially Muslim women), 2. Organisations interested in understanding and correcting structural barriers that limit belonging and inclusion for all employees and do not allow for effective capitalisation on diversity of perspectives, 3. Readers in the Middle East interested in the story of those who migrated.