Ms Howard ran for the state seat of Newcastle twice, once in the 2014 by-election and again in 2015.

She worked for Shortland County Council under the NSW government for over 10 years and has spent the past 12 years on state, federal and not-for-profit boards including Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Hunter Business Chamber and NSW Business Chamber.

But one board Ms Howard was particularly proud to be involved in was Hunter Medicare Local, which she led through three rounds of political reforms.

Ms Howard said this taught her how to lobby both sides of government.

“I’ve seen first hand how good influencing government can be for communities,” she said.

Her resume also included establishing her own small business centre, an avenue not many current politicians had been down.

“In Federal Parliament there are less than 30 per cent of all politicians who have small business experience and real-life experience,” she said.

“That’s no disrespect to the people that are there but I think it’s critical for people to be represented by someone who has achieved in their career.

“When you come from a business background you can actually see quite clearly what needs to happen for communities.”

And for Ms Howard this includes creating a strong economy and jobs, particularly for young people.

Her work experience created some solid connections, which Ms Howard said would allow her to “hit the ground running”.

“Three year terms don’t give you any time to learn on the job,” she said.

“You have to have good relationships in place to achieve outcomes for your communities.”

One of these relationships was with the Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop, who visited the Paterson electorate recently.

Ms Howard said it was people like Ms Bishop who she looked up to politically.

“She is as smart as a pin,” Ms Howard said.

“She has retained a sense of humour which I think in politics is critical.

“Life isn’t all giggles but you need to be able to laugh at yourself sometimes.”

What’s most important for Ms Howard though is being able to make a difference for the people of Paterson.

“I have a genuine desire to make a strong and a positive contribution to the communities where I was raised and educated and where I gained my values.”

The Mercury will be running profiles on all the Paterson candidates in the lead-up to the election.