It is this, along with hard work and being given opportunities that she credits with her career, having worked her way up the ranks of the Tasmanian Health Service.

Starting as a nurse in the acute sector, Ms Young is now the nursing director for Primary Health North.

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It's a role that sees her responsible for the operations and management of Northern Tasmania's eight district hospitals, and the THS community services.

She has also filled acting roles as the chief executive of hospitals for the North and North-West.

While grateful for the opportunities that she was given, Ms Young said she had learnt over the years to have more faith in her own abilities - and encourages other women to do the same.

"My message - trust in yourself and your capabilities. We are all stronger than we sometimes recognise," she said.

"I didn't have aspirations of working in a management role, but have had some strong role models during my career who had confidence in me and provided me with opportunities. I am very committed to my position and apply myself to anything I do. I enjoy being challenged and have made the most of opportunities that present."

This year the theme for International Women's Day is "Choose to Challenge".

Ms Young said raising a family while working and completing two postgraduate university degrees was among some the greatest challenges she had faced.

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However, she said pushing herself had been invaluable both personally and professionally.

"I worked night shifts for a number of years so I could balance being there for my children, but also continuing to work and study which was certainly a challenge," she said.

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"For anybody in management, you have to earn respect and it's important how we fulfil the roles that we are privileged to have to lead the way forward for other people coming forward."

With a focus of calling out gender bias and inequality in the workplace, Ms Young said while the THS set high standards for quality and respect, it was her responsibility to ensure those standards were met.

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"I promote equality and respect in the workplace and advancement on merit. I am also conscious of recognising potential in others and providing these individuals with opportunities," she said.

"Where someone saw potential in me and offered me an opportunity, I think it's really important that I can pass that on. It's certainly something that I have done in the past and will continue to do."

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