EP 118: Deputy Lord Mayor Roshena Campbell: Redefining Power—In Court, Council, and Life

Roshena is the Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne, a commercial barrister, and a mother to four young children. She was elected as a Melbourne City Councillor in 2020 and elected as Deputy Lord Mayor in 2024. She has portfolio responsibilities for planning, tourism, and events. She is particularly passionate about making Melbourne a magnet for global headquarters and small businesses, and the easiest city to do business in. She loves listening to residents and businesses in Melbourne and fighting for the issues that matter to them. She was also the candidate for the Federal parliamentary seat of Aston.

As a Barrister, she has appeared for and advised some of Australia’s largest companies and the government. She has also acted in a number of Royal Commissions.

She is the daughter of Indian migrants, and her most important job is being a mother to four young children.

Key themes emerging out of our conversation:

• Being your own cheerleader.
• Education is a great equalizer.
• More women and mothers to lead.
• Build systems that support caregivers
• Designing cities that people want to live in
• The quiet responsibility children of migrants carry.
• Choosing law as a way to serve, legal representation shouldn't be reserved for the privileged.
• Harnessing imposter syndrome as fuel, turning doubt into preparation, clarity, and better outcomes.
• Calling out subtle power plays, staying steady when more experienced voices try to shake your confidence.
• Campaigns are deeply personal and uniquely challenging.
• Dealing with public criticism and personal attacks and staying focused on purpose, not noise.
• Redefining balance, choosing joy over perfection, presence over pressure.
• Focusing fully on the task at hand, whether in court, council, or at home.
• Letting go of the myth of perfection—and choosing storytime or bath time over spotless kitchens.
• Why politics is just another battleground, focusing on issues, not personal attacks.
• Leadership doesn’t require permission—just conviction and courage.

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