By Georgia Smith, 3 February, 2026
Reading time: 5 minutes
We recently sat down with Anna Fowler, a Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management) alum and CEO of Lorna Jane, to talk all things leadership, sustainability, and what’s next for the iconic activewear brand. Anna shared her career journey, her advice for women aspiring to lead and how QUT helped shape the leader she is today.
Can you give us an overview of Lorna Jane and what your role as CEO involves day-to-day?
Lorna Jane is an Australian-born active lifestyle brand with a mission to empower women to live a life of Active Living. As CEO, my role is to set the strategic direction, ensure our teams are aligned to our purpose, and create an environment where innovation, passion and accountability thrive.
No two days are ever the same—I could be reviewing product strategy, supporting our trade teams, meeting with our leadership team, visiting stores or working closely with our founders on our ongoing brand evolution. My focus is to keep the brand moving forward while staying true to who we are.
What does a typical day in your life look like?
5.00am: Wake up, move my body and set my mindset for the day.
6.30am: Breakfast, school and daycare prep with the kids, then drop-offs.
8.00am: At HQ for leadership meetings and strategy reviews.
12.00pm: Working lunch or team catch-ups.
1.00pm: Long-term planning and brand-direction work.
5.00pm: Wrap up and head home for school pickups and family time.
7.30pm: Kids’ bedtime.
9.00pm: Unwind and recharge for the next day.
Every day is anchored by movement, family, and purpose.
Can you walk us through your career journey? How did you get to where you are today?
I started my career at City Beach in a retail role before moving into Human Resources. That early experience, understanding customers, working on the shop floor and learning people, became the foundation of my career.
I joined Lorna Jane in 2007 as Human Resources Manager, then stepped into a dual National Sales and Human Resource position before becoming Chief Operating Officer in 2010. I helped grow the brand from 26 stores to 156 across Australia and led our expansion into international markets including China, Singapore, Canada, the USA and New Zealand.
In 2019, I stepped back to focus on my young family while continuing to lead our China division, and in 2023, I became CEO. Every stage of the journey has been built on curiosity, resilience and a commitment to empowering women.
Why did you choose a Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management) at QUT?
I’ve always been interested in people, how they think, what motivates them and how culture influences performance. QUT felt practical, industry-connected and aligned with the way I love to learn. Human resource management was the perfect foundation for the leader I would become.
Which aspects of your course did you find most valuable, and why?
I loved the practical elements of my Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management), from real-world case studies to workplace projects, and lecturers with deep industry experience. The psychology and organisational behaviour units were especially meaningful and still shape the way I lead today.
You’re on the Board of Directors for Seamless, and you were named one of Australia’s top 50 CEOs in sustainability. Why is sustainability in fashion important to you, and how have you helped Lorna Jane become more sustainable?
Fashion has a responsibility to do better, for our planet and for the people who make and wear our clothes. Sustainability isn’t a trend for us; it’s our commitment to designing garments that last, reducing waste, and improving how we operate across the entire supply chain.
At Lorna Jane, we’ve improved product durability so garments can be worn longer. We’re investing in greater transparency and long-life design principles. My work with Seamless reflects my belief that our industry must lead the shift toward circularity and shared stewardship.
Lorna Jane’s mission is to empower women. How do you embody this in your role as CEO?
Empowering women is at the centre of everything we do, from our products to our people to our customers.
I embody this by creating an environment where women can thrive through opportunity, clarity, trust and accountability. But empowerment also extends beyond the workplace.
We support women through:
- Lorna’s “Never Give Up” podcast, where female founders and leaders share honest stories of resilience and their “never give up” moments to inspire the next generation.
- Our chosen charity, Women’s Community Shelters, supporting women experiencing domestic crises and rebuilding their lives.
- Our new acquisition, SOMA, a retreat space designed to help people reconnect, reset and prioritise their wellbeing. In the future, SOMA will also become an education space that brings Active Living and wellness to life in a much deeper way.
- Our Partnership with parkrun, this collaboration is more than just a sponsorship, its about increasing awareness and fostering a sense of community where everyone can belong.
What’s been one of your proudest achievements or standout moments as CEO?
Stepping into the CEO role after beginning in HR many years earlier was incredibly humbling. But my proudest moments are seeing the growth within our teams, watching people rise, back themselves and step into leadership in meaningful ways.
How did your QUT degree prepare you for your career?
It gave me strong foundational knowledge, but more importantly, it taught me how to think critically, communicate effectively and approach challenges with curiosity. Those skills have been relevant in every role I’ve held from HR to operations to CEO.
What’s next for Lorna Jane?
We’re focused on continuing to elevate our Australian retail experience and expanding our product innovation pipeline. We’re also committed to exploring new ways to bring Active Living to life through SOMA, creating experiences that help people live healthier, more connected and more intentional lives.
What advice would you give to women who aspire to be in a CEO role one day?
A CEO role isn’t something you arrive at, it’s something you build toward intentionally, every day. Focus on becoming a strong decision-maker, a clear communicator and someone who takes responsibility without hesitation. Seek out problems and solve them. Learn how the business works end to end, not just your corner of it.
And remember, you don’t need to be the expert in everything. What you do need is the ability to ask the right questions, surround yourself with capable people and create an environment where they can do their best work. Growth comes from putting yourself in positions that stretch you, not the ones that feel safe.
“Never give up” isn’t just a mantra, it’s a mindset. Anna’s inspiring journey from QUT graduate to CEO of a global activewear brand shows what’s possible when you embrace growth and never stop learning.