Stephanie Werner’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to values empowering through adversity.
As the founding partner of Integris Group Services, Stephanie has transformed her personal challenges into a beacon of leadership that prioritises the health and wellbeing of both her team and her clients.
Her journey offers valuable insights into how personal adversity can lead to professional triumph and substantial positive impacts across multiple industries.
Overcoming Chronic Illness and Shaping Leadership
Stephanie Werner’s career trajectory is deeply influenced by her battle with a chronic illness. This experience, while arduous, has been instrumental in shaping her leadership style and the modern approach of Integris Group Services. “Facing chronic illness taught me the importance of resilience and the value of a supportive environment,”.
Empowering through adversity, Stephanie reflects. “It’s these lessons that have guided me in building a truly people-first organisation.”
During her recovery, Stephanie’s husband played a crucial role. “My husband was an unwavering pillar of support throughout my recovery,” she shares. “His belief in my strength and his constant encouragement were vital in helping me overcome this challenge.”
Additionally, Stephanie credits her workplace at the time, particularly two managers who were incredibly supportive and compassionate about her struggle. “Their empathy and understanding were instrumental in my recovery and they remain important role models for me today,” she adds. This personal and professional support network underscored the significance of fostering a workplace that prioritises health and wellbeing.
Her story is a reminder of how crucial it is to reach out to those who may be struggling with life’s challenges, whether it’s in the workplace or personal circles. Organisations like R U OK? [i] encourage everyone to check in with the people around them, because starting a conversation can make all the difference in someone’s journey to well-being.
Establishing Core Values
When transitioning Integris Group Services from a sole tradership to a growing company, Stephanie was determined to embed values [ii] that resonated deeply with her personal experiences.
The values of honesty, integrity, conviction, action, and sensitivity are not just words but the foundation upon which the business operates. “These values are our North Star,” Stephanie asserts. “Every decision we make, every strategy we implement, is aligned with these core principles.”
A People-First Approach
Stephanie Werner’s health challenges catalysed a shift in how Integris Group Services operates, empowering through adversity and leading to an approach that places people at the centre.
This is evident in the strong culture of trust and flexibility within the team. “We’ve built an environment where everyone feels safe to be their genuine selves at work,” Stephanie explains. “Real flexible working arrangements and a recruitment process focused on aligning values ensure that the right person is in the right place, at the right time, doing the right work.”
This people-first [iii] philosophy extends to how Integris Group Services engages with its clients. The company’s focus on health and wellbeing has led to significant impacts on client safety and wellbeing.
Integris Group Services has supported clients in establishing governing policies that ensure the wellbeing of their own clients throughout their journey.
Furthermore, the company has been instrumental in improving safety at the frontline, ensuring that team members facing the greatest risks at work have a voice in establishing the controls for managing, mitigating, and reducing those risks.
By applying the best practices Stephanie experienced in large organisations, Integris Group Services ensures that the systems of work they develop with their clients can achieve the real outcomes that Stephanie and her team are so passionate about.
Financial Resilience
Stephanie credits the exceptional handling of financial management that she and her team focused on, especially through challenging times. “We were diligent in our financial management and tenacious in sourcing opportunities,” she says. “Through innovative cashflow strategies, obtaining funding and grants, and maintaining strong client connections, we navigated through the toughest periods with confidence that we would survive.” This success is a testament to the dedication and ingenuity of her team.
Coupled with a commitment to delivering high standards of work efficiently, Integris Group Services ensures that clients receive exceptional value.
Supporting Family and Becoming a Mother
Stephanie’s approach to leadership has also been influenced by the need to support her wider family through their own health issues while running the business. “Balancing family health crises with business demands has taught me the importance of empathy and adaptability,” she says.
This experience reinforced her commitment to a supportive and flexible work environment.
Additionally, becoming a mother last year has brought new perspectives to her leadership. “Motherhood has deepened my understanding of the need for work-life balance and has strengthened my resolve to create a workplace that supports both personal and professional growth,” Stephanie shares. This personal milestone has further enriched her approach to fostering a compassionate and resilient team culture.
Positive Impacts Across Diverse Sectors
Under Stephanie’s leadership, Integris Group Services has made substantial positive impacts across diverse sectors, including utilities, public transport, healthcare, non-profits, community services, finance, retail, and research and development.
The company’s dedication to safety and wellbeing first has been particularly notable. “We’ve set new standards for how businesses can run safely and effectively,” Stephanie notes. “Our work has not only improved safety and wellbeing for our clients but has also set benchmarks in their industries.”
Integris Group Services often refreshes their clients’ perspectives on the real impacts that can be achieved through the projects they work on together. This deeper appreciation has a positive and cumulative impact on their team and workplace culture.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Stephanie is committed to empowering through adversity and enabling others through the work she and her team do and fostering environments where people and businesses can thrive.
“My story shows that women in small business can be as successful as we are in big business,” she says. “I’m not the most intelligent, the highest educated, or the most experienced, yet I am making significant positive impacts. That’s what I want other women and small business owners to see – that with the right values and support, they too can achieve great things.”
Stephanie Werner’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the transformative impact of a people-first approach.
Her leadership at Integris Group Services not only inspires but also sets a new standard for how businesses can prioritise health, wellbeing, and values-driven success.