Member Spotlight: Shianne Durdin

At just 16 years old, Shianne Durdin is already redefining what leadership, resilience and belief can look like in sport and beyond. A para-athlete representing Australia in blind soccer, Shianne is driven by purpose, passion and a deep commitment to creating opportunity for others.

Born with a genetic condition called Leber Congenital Amaurosis, Shianne has lived with limited vision from birth. But sport has never been something she stepped back from. Instead, it became the place where she found confidence, belonging and her voice.

Growing up in South Australia, Shianne attended a school for blind students where she was encouraged to explore modified sports including cricket, tennis and athletics. Those early experiences laid the foundation for a lifelong connection to sport, one grounded in inclusion and possibility.

Her passion truly took shape through a teacher who believed in her without question. That belief changed everything.

Sport shifted Shianne’s mindset from wondering how she could succeed despite her vision impairment, to understanding how her experiences could strengthen who she is. It became the place where confidence found her.

One of her most memorable moments came in primary school, standing on the podium at state athletics and hearing her friends cheering as she received her medals. Sharing that moment with the teacher who first encouraged her to compete made it unforgettable and sparked a belief that bigger things were possible.

Now attending a mainstream high school, Shianne continues to lead with courage. In 2024, she was electedInclusive Education Prefect, a role that opened her eyes to the gaps many students still face. That experience inspired her to start a business mentoring people with vision impairments and providing braille services, using her leadership to advocate for greater access and equity.

Shianne joined the Empowered toLead program after hearing strong recommendations from fellow athletes. From the moment she saw the words empower and lead, she knew the program aligned with her passion for self-advocacy and community impact.

What she found exceeded every expectation.

Through the program, Shianne strengthened her communication skills, clarified her goals and connected with like-minded women and leaders from across the country. Defining her core values became a standout moment, helping her see how her aspirations connect to a shared purpose of equality for women and girls.

Empowered to Lead also reshaped her understanding of confidence. Rather than something external, Shianne now sees confidence as something built from within by investing in what brings joy, meaning and growth.

The tools from the program have carried into every part of her life. From sport and study to music and creative pursuits, Shianne has learned to listen to her own needs, advocate for herself and approach challenges with clarity and self trust.

Looking ahead, Shianne dreams of representing Australia in blind soccer at Brisbane 2032. She approaches each step toward that goal with gratitude, discipline and belief, while remaining committed to opening doors for those who come after her.

To Shianne, playing like a girl means training with grit, competing with heart and finding lessons in every experience. It means staying proud of yourself and your team, and never letting go of the fire that keeps you coming back.

This participant’s Empowered to Lead scholarship was made possible thanks to our corporate partner, Infosys.