Nikki Ballagh

Executive Assistant to Founder

Nikki spent the greater part of her working life in big corporations. Craving a change, she became a team member of PAN Group Australia, a company associated with PukaUp. This gave her the opportunity to work with PukaUp on and off for about 18 months. When she saw the opportunity to work with us on a regular basis, she grabbed it with both hands.

Why PukaUp?

The work that PukaUp does is life changing. To be part of a team whose ultimate goal is to save lives and make a positive difference to people’s everyday lives is just incredible. The human cost of suicide is too high. Most of us have been touched by it in some way so we need to educate, inform and ultimately prevent this terrible loss. I’m in, let’s keep on with the mission. Every life matters!

The best part of your job?

The people – my colleagues who are so absolutely amazing as well as the people we work with. It's heartwarming to know how much people really care and want to make a difference. It makes my soul smile.

How do you take care of your wellbeing?

I look for the silver lining, hope for the best, prepare for the worst and if the glass is half empty I try to make sure that the first half was at least something I enjoyed drinking with a nice cheese plate. I bask in the warmth of good hugs and laugh at ridiculous things.

Quick fire:

What’s your happiness hack?
Music, loud and daggy

Perfect weekend?
Friends, food, fun (and throw in a little excitement, perhaps skydiving)

Introvert or extravert?
Introvert, way way introvert

Morning person or night owl?
Morning person

Phone call or text?
Phone call