A Discerning Multiplicity – Tess Glasson for Women’s History Month
Tess Glasson is no stranger to ambition, and while she is humble in recounting her achievements, she effortlessly balances an endearing affability with a refined self-assurance. As Marketing Director of Sydney-based architecture and interior design practice Alexander &CO. and a mother of four, she continuously harnesses work ethic and grit, and her advice to young women – to stay curious, be agile, build a skillset and develop self-awareness – is honest and practical. She shared this and more with The Local Project as part of Women’s History Month.
“We all have a story to tell,” Tess offers from Alexander House – Alexander &CO.’s hybrid live-work space in Sydney’s Eastern suburbs. “In fact, some of us have several stories to tell. I can talk to the story of being a mother or the experience of being a working woman, or I can talk to my story of origin, which is the story of my childhood. In each of those, there’s a touchpoint, a place where people can connect with you and relate to you.” This acknowledgement of her own multiplicity has undoubtedly fuelled Tess’s successful 25-year career in marketing and communications and contributed to her likeability and self-awareness.
Alongside these attributes, Tess’s innate sense of ambition has been prevalent since a young age; it can be traced back to her early 20s when she moved to London armed with a degree in marketing and communications and little else other than her youthful energy. She reflects, “I had the hopes that I would land an amazing first job, that I’d be exposed to incredible female leadership […], and work with some of the world’s biggest brands.” London delivered, and she very quickly secured a job at a public relations agency, but not without “determination and tenacity”.
As Tess explains, this job provided a solid base from which she grew professionally. “I was only in the first year of my career and it really enabled me to develop a strong and confident voice and to realise – even when you’re a junior – that your contributions can be really valuable.” Further, her boss – a woman 10 years her senior who Tess still looks to for guidance – became a natural mentor. “She modelled what strong, firm but kind female leadership looked like, and she did it with the most fabulous sense of humour.”
“I don’t think you ever overcome the juggle of parenting and working,” Tess says, adding, “what you can do though is lean into the role of mother and into the role of domestics in some moments, and in others, lean into the demands of work.”
Importantly, Tess reflects on this period and the following 10 years spent working at public relations agencies in the “luxury lifestyle” space in Sydney very fondly, largely due to the network of women that surrounded her. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with and learn from […] women who were real trailblazers and who had a great sense of themselves,” she says. This period working in a field dominated by women was the basis for many lasting and genuine relationships, and the foundation for Tess’s optimistic perspective on women supporting, leading and celebrating each other’s achievements and endeavours.
A successful stint as Communications Director of Australian Fashion Week prompted Tess to start her own consultancy before firmly shifting her focus to the architecture and interior design industry, joining the fold at Alexander &CO. alongside her husband – and the practice’s Principal – Jeremy Bull. As Tess notes, “this decision has been a wonderful utilisation of my skills and experience and a huge advantage to the practice to have an in-house marketing expert who is so passionate about the brand.”
Consequently, Tess cites building and shaping Alexander &CO. with her husband as one of her most rewarding professional pursuits. The practice has grown significantly in recent years and the team of 30 works from what is arguably one of Sydney’s most beautiful workplaces. Tess, Jeremy and their kids live next door and, as such, the lines between their personal and professional lives are delightfully (and intentionally) blurred. The uniqueness of this set up is something Tess relishes, and as she says, “it’s also allowed flexibility for me to have our four sons and parent!”
The topic of motherhood is particularly revalent for Tess, who raised their sons throughout a pivotal time in her career. Pursuing these two monumental endeavours has been her “biggest challenge”, and while she describes the coexistence of work and family as “a very complex, often quite messy, ever-evolving beast,” she is encouraging in her belief that it is not impossible. “I don’t think you ever overcome the juggle of parenting and working,” she says, adding, “what you can do though is lean into the role of mother and into the role of domestics in some moments and, in others, lean into the demands of work.”
Among many things, Tess is an uplifting example of how honest, hardworking values can prevail. The plurality of her story – from childhood and young adulthood to working woman and mother – is a pleasing tale of growth and open-mindedness, grounded by the same principles she offers as advice to young women today: to be curious, agile and discerning.
