In the National Office July
Let's find out who's who ...
Who's Who in the Office: Yen Wong
We’re excited to introduce you to one of the driving forces behind HIPPY’s learning culture. Our Learning and Development Officer brings a unique blend of creativity, empathy, and expertise to the team. Here’s a glimpse into her world, her inspirations, and a few fun facts you might not know.
What’s your role at HIPPY, Yen. What does your day-to-day work involve?
Every day is different in my role as Learning and Development Officer. My main focus is supporting the HIPPY Network and National Office staff with their learning and development needs. Some days, you’ll find me designing and delivering training for Coordinators, Line Managers, Tutors, and our Head Office colleagues with the information and skills to perform their roles confidently.
I might be liaising with a guest speaker for an upcoming webinar, building a new e-learning module, or facilitating a Community of Practice meeting.
Training new Coordinators is always a highlight; seeing them grow from day one is incredibly rewarding.
Of the four HIPPY outcome areas, is there one that really resonates with you personally?
What draws you to that aspect?
The outcome Area 2: Empowering families, really speaks to me.
The child is at the heart of everything we do, but it’s the family that forms that child’s universe.
When we equip parents with the skills and confidence to support their children’s learning, we’re not just helping the child, we’re building stronger families and communities. In the process, we are also achieving Outcome Area 1: Helping children develop a love for learning early in life.
It’s the foundation for safe, loving, and thriving children, and that’s what motivates me every day.
You recently worked on the Change Makers Project. Tell us about something that blew your mind with this initiative.
The Change Makers pilot was definitely a standout experience!
We supported Coordinators and Tutors build their communication skills for public speaking and storytelling, tools to advocate for themselves and their communities.
What really blew me away were the stories of courage and self-discovery that emerged.
Hearing people find their voice and share their journeys was both inspiring and humbling. It’s a powerful reminder of why our work matters.
July is peak winter in Melbourne. What's been brightening your days lately?
I’m currently reading The Bank Robber’s Boy by Peter Norris. It’s a memoir about a boy who, despite being born into a life of crime, finds the courage to change his destiny.
At the tender age of twelve, he broke away from his destiny as a criminal, despite the loyalty and deep love he had for his father. It’s a fascinating story that shows how, with courage and clarity of insight, we can empower ourselves to escape the undesirable circumstances we fall victim to.
The story is a testament to resilience and the power of personal choice.
I find the story fascinating.
