Newsha Afshar

Newsha Afshar, the HR Director ANZ at Interface Inc., and a corporate leader, has charted her career path with unwavering perseverance by taking on various roles and eventually flourishing as Interface’s driving force. Her commitment to her craft and alignment with the company’s values have propelled the firm forward in a dynamic business landscape.

“I joined Interface to contribute to its rich history by introducing my best HR practices, notably digitalization, work-life balance, and continual learning,” states Newsha. 

She began her career in sales, where she honed her skills in telemarketing and telesales before steadily progressing to the position of sales manager in Iran, She then moved to Dubai, where she simultaneously pursued an MBA at the American University of Sharjah and worked as a Sales Manager in Al-RAGHIAT LLC, before Joining Schneider Electric as Sales Manager and moved back to Iran, She then was offered and unexpectedly accepted a secondment role in HR at Schneider Electric. This marked the beginning of Newsha’s journey in HR, where she excelled as an HR Manager and then an HR Director in Iran and later embraced international assignments in Australia.

Throughout her career, Newsha has consistently demonstrated her commitment to growth, delving deep into understanding Australian labour laws and regulations while expertly navigating diverse HR environments at Pentair, Woolworths, and Philips. However, a significant turning point in her career transpired when personal circumstances led her to join Boral. Driven by her family commitment, she took a break from her professional pursuits to care for her son.

“I joined Interface intending to contribute to its rich history by introducing my best HR practices, primarily focused on digitalisation, work-life balance, and continual learning.”

Upon her return to the corporate world, Newsha joined Interface Australia in 2022, profoundly inspired by the firm’s values and history. These ideals resonated deeply with her, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to implement best HR practices and enrich the company's culture. Under Newsha’s astute leadership, Interface embarked on a transformative journey to enhance employee engagement and foster a positive work culture.

When Newsha first arrived at the company, she discovered that the results of a 'Great Place to Work' survey were less than satisfactory. Acknowledging the need for improvement, Newsha convened a focus group where employees could voice their opinions and participate in decision-making. This commitment to open communication and inclusivity laid the groundwork for a cultural transformation. She also emphasized the significance of collaborating with Interface Leadership in Australia in implementing a 360-degree leadership assessment to instil a sense of responsibility and ownership in shaping the company's culture. Despite the challenges posed by Interface's remote operations in multiple locations, Newsha successfully promoted teamwork and close cooperation in the Leadership team in Australia.

In addition to her role in culture transformation, Newsha introduced an HR portal, simplifying access to HR resources for employees and managers. The implementation of ‘Workday’ as an HR information system streamlines HR processes, marking a significant technological leap for the company. She also played a pivotal role in global payroll outsourcing, making processes more efficient and error-free. Newsha additionally continues to keep herself in sync with the constantly shifting HR sector by actively participating in organizations such as the Australian Industry Group (AIG), the Australian Business Lawyers and Advisors (ABLA), and the Australian HR Institute (AHRI). This commitment to continuous learning and staying informed also ensures that Interface's HR practices stay modern and, effective, flexible to the changing business world.

A triumphant woman in leadership, Newsha inspires countless others to underscore the importance of self-awareness, resilience, continuous learning, and adaptability. Her remarkable career trajectory stands as a beacon of hope for women aiming for influential positions in the business. Newsha's journey epitomizes her transformative impact in HR. Her ability to adapt and excel in diverse environments and situations has been pivotal to her success as a leader, firmly establishing her as a prominent figure in corporate leadership.