In this episode of the Million Dollar Podcast, host Ramneek Wayne speaks with Darebin Mayor Suzanne Newton to explore her inspiring journey from world traveler working at the United Nations to pioneering political leader. Suzanne shares her unexpected path into politics, the challenges she faced as a woman in leadership, and the “million dollar value” of finding your voice and making a difference, both locally and globally. Offering valuable insight for young people about taking risks, overcoming setbacks, and leading with passion, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to make their mark on the world.
Ramneek Wayne: Suzanne, welcome to the Million Dollar Podcast! I'm so glad you're here today.
Suzanne Newton: Thank you, Ramnique! It's great to be here.
Ramneek: You've done a lot of work in the community and globally, and your work is really inspiring. But let's start from the beginning. You are currently the Mayor of Darebin, how did you become interested in politics?
Suzanne: “As you know, it was a very windy road! I wasn’t the kind of person who thought about politics from an early age. When I was in my 20s, I studied political science at university, but I never imagined that I would become a politician. I didn't realize that women leaders were really making an impact until I was in my 30s, after working for the United Nations in Uganda. It lit a fire in me. They had a quota for women in politics, and that's when I thought, “Why not me?” So I threw my hat into the ring. ”
Ramunique: It's incredible how your experience in Uganda shaped your political path. What challenges did you face in jumping into this world, especially since it wasn't your original plan?
Suzanne: “Oh, there were so many! I was in my early 30s and I remember thinking, 'What do I know about politics?' When I first ran for city council, I never thought I would win. However, what surprised me was how much I enjoyed campaigning and meeting local people. When they voted for me, I was like, “Oh, I can do this! 'I realized that. ”
“Even after you get elected, power dynamics still exist. I was younger than most of my colleagues, and because I’m a woman, I sometimes wasn’t taken seriously. I had to find my voice. I was so nervous that I was writing down my speech word for word. Now I feel comfortable speaking it, but it took me a while.”
Ramneek: I'm glad you said, “Why not me?” That's something we need to hear more often. So what advice would you give to young people who are interested in politics but think it's too out of reach?
Suzanne: “I think it's best not to wait until you feel 'ready'. We're not completely ready for the most challenging things. If you're even remotely interested in politics… So give it a try! Start small: get involved in the community, volunteer, and join a campaign. You'll learn a lot along the way. But I don’t know where that will lead.”
Ramneek: Passion really drives everything. Speaking of passion, you're a strong advocate for climate action. Darebin becomes the first city in the world to declare a climate emergency. That's amazing! Could you please tell me how this happened?
Suzanne: “It was a great moment for us. In 2016, shortly after I was elected, we had a strong local climate group pushing for bold action. We first declared a state of emergency, and it snowballed from there. More than a third of the world's governments have now declared a similar state of emergency.”
“The important thing is that it started at the community level. People often think that global change needs to come from the top, but this shows how local actions can spark global movements. It's important to listen to your community and take action, even if it's daunting at first.”
Ramneek: That's exactly “a million dollar value.” Local actions can have a global impact. Speaking of challenges, you said earlier that it took you a while to find your voice. What if you deal with setbacks or negative feedback? How do you deal with it?
Suzanne: “Oh, setbacks are real, believe me! When you're in politics, especially as a woman, you have to deal with criticism and sometimes personal attacks. It's tough, but I take it personally. I've learned not to accept why people act the way they do, but often it's not about me, it's about them.
“I've also built a strong support network. When things are tough, having someone by your side, whether it's a colleague, a friend, or a mentor, can make a huge difference. And I've learned that you can't change everything overnight. It's important to remember that you have to stay focused on the long game.
Ramneek: That's solid advice. Now, here's an interesting question. When you were 20 years old, did you ever imagine yourself becoming mayor? What did 20-year-old Suzanne think about politicians?
Suzanne: (Laughs) “Oh my god, that's totally different! When I was 20 years old, I didn't think I could become a politician. At that time, I felt that politics was for other people, not me. Uganda It wasn't until I saw a woman leading the way that I realized that politics was for people like me. So what about 20-year-old me? She had no idea what was going to happen. did!”
Ramneek: That's amazing. So, in closing, if you could give one piece of advice to young people listening to this podcast, what would it be?
Suzanne: “Don't be afraid to take risks. Pursue what excites you, whether it's politics, business, or something else entirely. Don't be afraid to take risks, even if you don't feel ready.” But you'll grow along the way. And don't do it alone, find people to support you and keep you going. The journey won't always be easy, but it's definitely worth it. It is located in
Ramneek: I completely disagree. Suzanne, you gave us a real gem today. Thank you for joining us on the Million Dollar Podcast. I'm sure our listeners will leave feeling inspired!
Suzanne: “Thank you, Ramnique. It was fun!”
