Paula Nassif’s Darden Journey: Resilience, Reflection and an International Perspective

Paula Nassif, an Australian Partner at a Sydney boutique commercial law firm, and teaching fellow at the University of New South Wales’s School of Private and Commercial Law, has built a distinguished 20-year career in top-tier law firms and investment banks (including Bank of America Merrill Lynch). She sat down with us to reflect on how Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning’s, Women in Leadership Program, helped her dive deeper into who she is as a leader and how she’s leveraged her strengths to achieve more productive outcomes both at work and in the broader community.

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When I think about my experience at Darden, the first word that comes to mind is “magical”. But the journey to get there wasn’t simple or straightforward. It took resilience and a willingness to keep showing up for myself even when the answer was “not this year.”

I had previously applied for the Turks Legal/Women in Banking and Finance scholarship to attend Darden’s Women in Leadership Program. And I didn’t get it, given how highly competitive the process was across the industry and how sought after this Scholarship was. I believed deeply that this program could help me grow as a leader, so I applied again in 2022. When I was finally awarded this prestigious scholarship, I felt a mix of buzzing excitement, pride and deep gratitude. It was a reminder that how we respond to what we perceive to be “setback”, impacts the ultimate outcome and matters just as much as the successes that follow.

How My Career Began

My path to leadership hasn’t been linear. I started university thinking I’d become a journalist, enrolling in a B.A. in communications and law. During my second year, I arranged an internship in Hong Kong with the South China Sunday Morning Post. I spent my days out in the field in Hong Kong reporting on major stories (including a major earthquake in Japan). This was exhilarating, unpredictable and full of learning.

When I returned to Sydney to finish my degree, I felt pulled toward the law. That choice set me on a 20 year journey through top-tier law firms and investment banks, specializing in banking and finance and corporate law. Today, I’m a Partner at a boutique commercial law firm — a role I’m incredibly proud of.

Last year, I also stepped into teaching as a fellow at the University of New South Wales’s School of Private & Commercial Law, Faculty of Law & Justice. I guide Australian and international students through the world of international financial law. It’s been energizing to share what I’ve learned and to see the field through their eyes.

Why Darden Was the Right Next Step

By the time I applied for the scholarship, I’d built a strong career. But I wanted a chance to reflect on who I was as a leader and how I could grow with more intention. That’s what drew me to Darden.

The program exceeded every expectation I had. The content was rich and practical: leadership, negotiation, strategy and understanding the dynamics of a room. The professors brought such diverse perspectives, and the guest speakers were refreshingly authentic in the stories they shared.  

But the real magic came from the people. My cohort was extraordinary — women from different industries, backgrounds and from all over the US, all committed to learning and lifting each other up. I got to spend time with some of the NASA legal team and with women from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.  The faculty and staff were warm, supportive and incredibly thoughtful, especially knowing I’d traveled from Australia. They made me feel at home. And overall, it was fun!

What I Discovered About Myself

The strengths assessments and self‑reflection exercises were some of the most transformative parts of the program for me. I’d never done anything like them before. And I was surprised by how accurate they were; like someone had held up a mirror. Leading from your strengths is a fantastic way to lead.

Those tools helped me understand not just what I’m good at, but where I naturally lead from. They gave me a framework for navigating challenging situations (and challenging people) with more maturity and clarity. I returned to Australia and to work with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of how to bring out the best in myself and others.

Recognition and What It Represents

Since the program, I have continued to receive several industry recognitions: from Women in Banking and Finance, the Women in Finance Awards, the Australian Law Awards and the Women in Law Awards. Each one felt meaningful, not because of the accolades themselves, but because they acknowledged years of consistent effort and supporting others.

Sometimes as women, we can feel we have to work a little harder to be seen. These recognitions reminded me that the work does matter and that others see it too.

What I’ll Never Forget

Walking the UNESCO listed grounds at UVA, Darden in the fall, (designed by none other than one of the great American founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson) felt like stepping back into history and into a storybook — the colors so vibrant, the architecture so brilliant, and there was a real sense of history on the grounds. Staying at the Forum Hotel, sharing late-night conversations with brilliant women, eating southern fried chicken wings and learning from faculty who genuinely cared. It all felt special.  

Seeing American writer, Edgar Allan Poe’s dorm room (who apparently got kicked out of Darden!) was a treat, having studied some of his works at school.

Being there in person made all the difference. The experience can’t be replicated online. It was immersive, energizing and deeply personal. At the final dinner, each of us was given a card with a special message for each of us – mine remains in my wallet to this day, reminding me of the special message and the magical experience I had at Darden, I would love the opportunity to replicate this experience at Darden again!