Mim’s personal mantra is one that we all need to hear: “Life is short, so love what you do.”. This guiding belief instilled by her late father has shaped every chapter of her career. And while it might sound idealistic, Mim acknowledges the nuance: loving your job doesn’t mean every day is easy. It means understanding your “why” and using it as your north star, even when things get hard.
That clarity led Mim to walk away from a senior leadership role in agency life with no job to go to, a bold decision rooted in self-awareness. “I was so far from the best version of myself,” she said. “It was time to go.” That kind of conviction, especially in the face of career uncertainty, is not just admirable, it’s the essence of modern leadership.
Mim’s most iconic work has been fuelled by belief, not just briefs. From the ANZ GayTMs to the One House to Save Many project at Suncorp, Mim proves that passion, when combined with a strong team and brave thinking, can create cultural impact that goes far beyond a campaign window.
These projects almost didn’t happen. They were complex, high-risk, and at times unpopular. But they happened anyway because the people behind them believed in what they were doing. “Logic helps,” she said, “but passion is what gets things made.”
After years in a high-performing (and at times, high-pressure) agency environment, Mim found herself leading in a way that didn’t feel authentic. “I was being encouraged to lead in a way that just didn’t feel like me,” she said. That dissonance led to burnout, and eventually, a reset.
At Suncorp, Mim found alignment. With a strong female leadership team and a culture grounded in purpose, she was able to bring her whole self to the table. Her approach to leadership is deeply human: “You can either cast a shadow or shine a light. And how you show up really matters.”
She describes leadership as a symbiotic relationship: your team reflects the energy and trust you give them. Empowerment isn’t a leadership trend it’s the foundation of performance.
One of the most powerful takeaways from our conversation? You don’t need a rigid plan to grow you just need to keep saying yes to the right things.
Mim describes herself as a “terrible career planner.” And yet, her trajectory is anything but aimless. Instead of chasing titles, she followed the work that felt meaningful. “Progress isn’t always linear,” she said. “Sometimes a sideways move takes you further than climbing a ladder.”
It’s a refreshing reminder that growth isn’t defined by hierarchy, it’s defined by impact, alignment, and evolution.
When asked what she wants to be remembered for, Mim’s answer was immediate: being a good human. From mentoring emerging leaders to championing causes like the St Vincent’s Clinic Foundation, Mim’s influence extends far beyond boardrooms.
As brand leaders, we often talk about “legacy” in terms of campaigns or commercial success. But Mim’s take is different, and timely. Legacy is how you make people feel. It’s the energy you leave behind in a room, in a team, in a project.
Mim Haysom’s story is a masterclass in big brand leadership. It’s a reminder that we don’t have to compromise who we are to lead effectively. In fact, the opposite is true: the more passionately we lead, the more impact we can create.
At The Edison Agency, we believe in the power of female leadership, values-led brands, and the kind of creative bravery Mim embodies. We’re proud to champion voices like hers because they’re shaping not just brands, but the future of work.
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