Claire Davidson

Imagine hitting the peak of your career only to have your life turned upside down, forcing you to rethink your definition of success.

Claire Davidson (EC 1992) had made it. She led a successful career in the media and tech industries, having made her way up from a producer for media companies across Southeast Asia to landing the role of Head of Creative Services at Meta for the Asia-Pacific region. Here she created strategies and productions across Facebook and Instagram’s suite of products all the while championing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as well as social good.

Prior to landing the role at Meta, a career pivot saw Claire utilising her transferrable skills to take up positions with the International Medical Corps (IMC) on the Nepal Earthquake Response and the Ebola Outbreak Response in West Africa.

Not only did she excel in her career, but she also led an active life competing in triathlons and marathons and travelling extensively.

“My life was filled with journeys and adventure. For work, I filmed all over the world. In my personal life, I competed in international triathlon competitions and marathons. I volunteered with Free the Bears to save bears from misery, torture, and the threat of extinction. I survived the Nepal earthquake and was a first responder to the emergency. I worked in West Africa on the Ebola response. I did an expedition through the world’s largest cave for seven days—at the time, more people had summited Everest than experienced this,” Claire reminisces.

In 2019, Claire’s high-flying life was turned upside down. During a trip to Borneo, Claire fell severely ill with a tick-borne disease, leading to an allergic reaction to the antibiotic she was prescribed, meningitis and then the finding of two brain aneurysms. Over the next six years, Claire’s world became one of intense health battles, turning life as she knew it upside down.

“I had been deep in the Borneo jungle seeing orangutans in the wild when I fell sick with a severe fever. A combination of a bite and the medication I was given led to an acute reaction. The next thing I knew, my brain just shut down. I was taken to the ER, had an MRI, and the following day, I was undergoing surgery for two aneurysms. But, it was the bite and the antibiotic that made me so incredibly ill, not the aneurysms.”

“Typhus brought about meningitis, which led to Intracranial Hypertension, a condition that causes chronic inflammation in the space surrounding the brain. It’s a disorder that damages the physical structure of the brain, resulting in acute cognitive and memory difficulties.”

“The next few years were spent in and out of hospital, fighting to survive, seeing specialist after specialist, and slowly learning to structure sentences again without jumbling my words,” Claire said.

This severe brain injury brought Claire progressive loss. As her health deteriorated so too did her ability to take part in the activities she loved.

“Multiple attempts to return to my rewarding career failed. It became painfully clear – I was no longer well enough to resume my job, marking the loss of my career.”

Success for Claire used to mean achievement, accolades, awards, and a packed calendar – a driver to keep moving forward. However, her illness necessitated a profound shift in perspective and her new definition of success has become wholeheartedly meaningful and enriching.

“When I lost my career and identity as a high-achiever, I felt like I had been untethered from everything that defined me. It was deeply painful to let go of the person I once was, but it also gave me the chance to rediscover who else I could become, a version of myself that I hadn’t explored.”

“Now, success for me is tied to acceptance. It’s also about balance, peace, connection and living a life slowed down. It’s about finding fulfilment in the present moment rather than chasing the next goal.”

As a Women@ leader at Meta, Claire spearheaded women-led initiatives, twice speaking at International Women’s Day, the second time for 15,000 people. Claire states that supporting the women in our lives, professionally and personally, involves empathetic listening and understanding their unique challenges, from societal pressures to balancing various roles.

“Start by listening, truly listening, with empathy and without judgment. Women often face challenges that are invisible to others, from societal expectations to balancing multiple roles to pursuing their ambitions unapologetically. Essentially withstanding the pressure to excel in all aspects of life. By holding space for each other’s feelings, thoughts and experiences, we create an environment where vulnerability is met with understanding, not dismissal.”

“Support can also mean advocacy, such as speaking up for each other in meetings, amplifying each other’s ideas, and celebrating one another’s accomplishments. In personal spaces, it’s about being a shoulder to lean on, a sounding board, or even just a friend who checks in.”

“Ultimately, supporting each other is about building a community where kindness, collaboration, and inclusivity are the norms.”

Claire has also devoted much of her time to mentoring others. Drawing on her experiences, Claire states that she owes so much to the women who guided and inspired her.

“At school and university, my teachers instilled in me the values of integrity, curiosity and perseverance. They showed me the importance of female leadership and the strength of lifting others up, lessons that became foundational throughout my career.”

“At Meta, I had the privilege of both being mentored and mentoring others through programs we created such as #WeForShe (which focuses on amplifying women’s voices and building stronger, more inclusive communities), Guiding Light (which supports teenagers transitioning from care into independence) and Pass the Vision (a mentorship initiative designed to empower young women graduates entering the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic).”

Claire now finds solace in a slower paced life, enjoying her home on the Sunshine Coast and immersing herself in pottery and whale watching. 

“Life’s crossroads will more often than not feel overwhelming, as though you’re stepping into the unknown without a compass or a map. It’s in these moments of uncertainty that we need to pause and reflect, even if that feels somewhat impossible or uncomfortable. My advice is to take it one small, intentional step at a time. Trust that your story isn’t over yet. It’s just evolving in ways you didn’t plan, and often in ways that may lead to something more profound than you could have imagined.”

“I found solace and strength in unexpected places; working with clay, photographing wildlife, and sitting quietly in nature. These were not part of the grand plan, but they became the absolute foundation for my healing. To move forward, I had to allow myself the space to grieve what I had lost while remaining open to the possibility of what could emerge from the change.”

“Even amidst the most challenging setbacks, there are pathways to profound meaning, growth and transformation.”

In 2025 Emmanuel College is celebrating 50 years since women were admitted to the College. If you know of an inspirational female-identifying alumnus, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at alumni@emmanuel.uq.edu.au.