Born in Toronto, Canada, Danielle McNamee’s journey began in an unexpected way. While her parents were originally from Perth, their travels led to her birth overseas. A small but amusing twist in her story was discovering at 18 that she wasn’t actually an Australian citizen – her parents had forgotten to declare her when they returned home when she was nine months old. That mix-up meant she had to officially become an Australian citizen later in life.
Her early years were spent in Mandurah when it was still a quiet country town before moving to Perth during her high school years. After completing Year 12, she enrolled at the University of Western Australia (UWA) to study politics with dreams of becoming a lawyer. However, after taking a year off and working at Town & Country Building Society, she found herself drawn to economics. This led her to pursue a communications degree at Murdoch University, later adding economics to her studies and earning first-class honours.
Danielle’s academic achievements opened doors, earning her a Reserve Bank Cadetship, one of only ten awarded in Australia at the time. Despite the prestige, she chose to remain in Perth, taking on an industrial relations role with the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations. Her career then took her to Burswood Casino (now Crown), followed by a time abroad. Alongside her husband, Michael, she travelled through Europe before settling in London, where she worked in HR director roles across the UK and the US for four years.
Returning to Perth in 2000, she continued working for an American company for a year before starting a family. Over the next ten years, she balanced motherhood with small consulting projects while raising three children. Then, in 2012, when her youngest started school, she took the leap to establish ProcessWorx.
Entrepreneurship had always been in Danielle’s blood. As a child, she remembers selling figs from her family’s tree on the side of the road, a glimpse into her natural business sense. Throughout her time at home with her children, she dabbled in hobby businesses like a kids’ party business and activity kits, but she knew she wanted something bigger.
ProcessWorx began after a consulting client advised Danielle to find a product to complement her expertise. That suggestion led to the development of the ProcessWorx portal, which evolved into the SHIELD app. Initially focused on processes and systems, she soon realised the overwhelming demand for HR services. This prompted her to expand ProcessWorx to include HR solutions, later incorporating safety management after obtaining her Cert IV and Diploma in Safety through CBD College.
Today, ProcessWorx primarily serves agricultural businesses, with 70% of its clients in the industry, providing HR and safety solutions tailored to farming operations.
Despite farming often being perceived as a male-dominated industry, Danielle has found that it’s typically the women on the farm who drive HR and safety initiatives. While older farmers sometimes resist compliance requirements, younger generations are more receptive. Her approach is to reframe HR and safety as essential business risks, showing farmers that neglecting these areas can jeopardise their entire operation.
Though she’s encountered the occasional difficult client, Danielle has rarely felt disrespected. Her strong presence and confidence allow her to stand her ground. She firmly believes that ProcessWorx is there to help businesses that genuinely want to do the right thing and says that those who aren’t interested are free to run their businesses as they see fit.
Switching off from work is a challenge for Danielle. In an effort to prioritise her well-being, she stopped drinking alcohol 18 months ago. However, she acknowledges that she never fully “switches off.”
Her daily routines help her manage stress. Mornings start with a walk along the river with her dogs, followed by a coffee (her dogs even enjoy a puppuccino!). In the evenings, her first priority after work is taking her dogs to the park. She also makes time to catch up with Michael over coffee most days. Recently, she joined a gym and focused on her fitness, successfully shedding weight and improving her health.
With three children – who, despite being older, still require plenty of mothering – and a strong social network, she finds joy in personal connections. Ultimately, while she may never fully disconnect from work, these moments of balance keep her grounded.
With years of experience in HR, Danielle has handled her fair share of challenging situations. One of the most intense was a performance management case where an employee had a severe breakdown in the office, running to the bathroom, curling into the foetal position, and rocking uncontrollably. Managing that situation with care and professionalism was one of her toughest moments.
Her work in rural areas has also brought its share of surprises. From staying on farms with mice in her bed to having objects thrown at her during difficult cases, she’s experienced it all. One particularly unusual experience involved being invited to a farmer’s home for lunch, only to be verbally abused throughout the meal. Danielle stood her ground and walked out.
Another memorable moment was when she arrived late at night to a regional event, only to find that the accommodation key left was in a lockbox that didn’t work. With no emergency contacts answering, she had no choice but to sleep in her car in a caravan park; a true testament to the unpredictability of her job!
ProcessWorx continues to grow, with an exciting expansion into New South Wales set for the future. The company is currently in the process of hiring someone to drive its interstate presence. Looking ahead five years, Danielle envisions the business as a dominant force in HR and safety for agriculture, covering broadacre farming, stations, horticulture, and beyond. Her ultimate goal? To build ProcessWorx to the point where a compelling offer comes along, leading to a successful sale.
For those who don’t know, Danielle has a quirky habit; she eats a bag of popcorn every day. Another unique passion is collecting artwork from regional areas. Her office is adorned with an eclectic mix of pieces, ranging from professional works like those of Helen Ansell to amateur paintings she’s picked up on her travels.
Danielle McNamee’s journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and a deep entrepreneurial spirit. From corporate HR roles in London and the US to building a thriving business that supports Australian farmers and businesses, she has carved out a unique and impactful career. With a strong vision for the future and a fearless approach to business, Danielle continues to lead ProcessWorx toward even greater success.