Returning to Work After Extended Career or Personal Leave
The Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) invites you to an engaging panel discussion hosted by the Women in Project Management Network (WPMN), exploring the personal and professional challenges faced by project professionals returning to work after extended periods of leave.
Join facilitator Samara Lett as she leads a conversation with experienced project leaders Vanessa Jaensch, Jasvinder Kaur, and Han Zhang. Together, they will share their lived experiences of returning from parental leave, carer’s leave, and leave taken for personal health, offering practical advice and supportive insights for others navigating similar transitions.
To register for an AIPM event, you’ll need to login to your AIPM account. If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to create an account with AIPM before you register.
Who is this event for?
- Project Management Professionals at all levels
Key Takeaways
- Understand the challenges and opportunities of returning to work after extended leave
- Learn how to rebuild professional confidence and re-engage with your career
- Hear lived experiences from project professionals who’ve returned after maternity, carer’s, and personal illness leave
- Discover how to access support systems and re-establish work-life balance
Price
- Members: Complimentary
- Non-members: $55 (including GST)
- Registration closes: 20/10/2025, 11:59 PM AEST
Speakers
Vanessa Jaensch
Project Manager - Defence Industry
Vanessa Jaensch is an Operations Manager and formally a Project Manager in the Defence Industry. Vanessa has been in leadership roles for 20 years across Defence delivery and support projects, R&D and Change Management programs. Vanessa is a Mum to two girls (now aged 13 and 9). Having taken two periods of maternity leave, she is now on a Return-to-Work program after a period of medical leave to undergo treatment for cancer. Vanessa will share experiences and lessons learnt from taking time out of the workforce to focus on family and self and impacts to life and career.
Jasvinder Kaur
Project Manager & AIPM WPMN Member
Jasvinda Kaur is a seasoned Project Manager with over 15 years’ experience executing complex IT Transformation and implementing governance frameworks within PwC network firms. As a dedicated Non-Executive Board Member at Core Community Services NSW, Jasvinder brings governance expertise and strategic insight to achieve meaningful community impact. Committed to personal growth and well-being, Jasvinder actively supports leadership development and creates spaces where people feel seen, empowered and inspired to achieve their fullest potential. Drawing on her return-to-work experience after 3 months of career leave, Jasvinder will share her reflections for a purposeful transition back to work.
Han Zhang
Project Manager & AIPM WPMN Member
Han Zhang is an accomplished Improvement and Transformation Project Manager with a strong track record in operational excellence and strategic initiatives. Specializing in Project Leadership, Digital Transformation, Process Optimization, Change Management, and Stakeholder Engagement, Han has successfully led numerous initiatives for efficiency improvements, cost and time savings, and compliance across project execution, services, supply chain, and engineering for multinational companies such as Schneider Electric and Digi International. With an engineering background, Han is passionate about aligning technology with business needs and empowering teams. As a Panellist, Han will share insights and practical tips on returning to work after parental leave.
Facilitator: Samara Lett
Program Manager & AIPM WPMN Member
Samara Lett is an accomplished Program Manager and Senior Project Manager with 20 years’ experience across a broad range of private and public sector organisations specialising within infrastructure. A passionate leader Samara loves coaching and mentoring her team member.