2023 GUEST DESIGNER

ZOE CONDE

Digga Australia CEO and daughter of former Digga Australia CEO and Managing Director, the late Suzie Wright. In honor of her mother's incredible legacy, Zoe designed the feature sock for the 2023 Ovarian Cancer Socks boxed set. This is her story.

Watch the video below!

At the heart of Digga Australia's history lies a story of remarkable strength, a tale of a visionary leader whose impact extended far beyond the boardroom. Suzie left an indelible mark not only on the company but on the lives she touched. Her courage and determination inspired all, shaping a legacy for the company as well as for her daughter, Zoe, who has gone on to blaze bright in the traditions of her family.

It was the middle of a normal work week, two weeks after Suzie had been into hospital for suspected appendicitis, when Suzie got the call that more tests were needed. At 23 years old, Zoe had no idea that her, her families and the family business’s world was about to fundamentally change forever.

At the age of 48, having taken over the helm of Digga Australia and achieved a multitude of gains for the company, Suzie was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Her prognosis was poor. After years of vague symptoms and misfires, Suzie passed away only 15 months after her confirmed diagnosis at the age of 49. An outcome unfortunately all too common for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

"As CEO and Managing Director of Digga Australia, Suzie was an inspiration to women the world over but especially to her daughter, Zoe."

As with any of the other challenges in her life, Suzie met her battle against ovarian cancer with the same unwavering resolve. "Cancer may have weakened her body, but her spirit remained stronger than ever," recalls a close colleague. Even as the disease took its toll, Suzie's determination to keep the company going from strength to strength remained steadfast, beginning succession planning and blueprints for Digga's future shortly after her diagnosis.

As CEO and Managing Director of Digga Australia, Suzie was an inspiration to women the world over but especially to her daughter, Zoe. Playing a pivotal role in consolidating Digga's Australian operations, Suzie spearheaded the rescue and successful integration of Kanga Loaders into the business, established a large manufacturing plant in the US, and rebuilt the Queensland Head Office facility following a devastating factory fire in 2016. Passionate about Australian manufacturing, Suzie established Digga in its strongest position and laid a solid foundation for the future.

"If ovarian cancer research was not so critically underfunded, my mum and many other women may still be here today. The grief of losing someone, let alone your mum, never leaves you, and to play a part in what the future landscape could look for ovarian cancer is so important."

An Enduring Legacy: The Flame Burns Ever-Bright

As Suzie's journey came to an end, her example of leadership blossomed anew in Zoe who went on to become the Deputy CEO of Digga Australia and is now stepping into her role as CEO, carrying forward the torch of innovation and excellence.

With the echoes of Suzie's guidance and her mother's indomitable spirit, she leads with a sense of purpose that resonates with all who knew her mother. A colleague shares, "Suzie's legacy lives on through her daughter's leadership. Zoe is a true embodiment of the strength and vision Suzie exemplified." The empowerment Suzie instilled in her daughter laid the foundation for the company's continued success, while simultaneously nurturing a new generation of leaders.

Zoe's ability to navigate the complexities of leadership within a growing, global company amidst ongoing grief speaks volumes to her character and strength, underscoring her profound commitment to honoring her mother's legacy while forging a path of her own.

Every Woman. Everywhere. Free from the Threat of Ovarian Cancer.

As we approach the fifth anniversary since Suzie's passing, we warmly welcome Zoe as the 2023 inaugural Ovarian Cancer Socks guest designer as she seeks to commemorate her mother's incredible life as well as advocate for a cause close to her heart.

Remembered for her incredible leadership, elegance and boldness, Zoe's design features a striking, red-haired Suzie (a stage she went through) surrounded by her favourite flower, the lily, and two graceful birds in flight that represent the concept of freedom at the heart of the campaign to see, ‘Every woman. Everywhere. Free from the threat of ovarian cancer.’

"Think about a mum, aunt, sister, daughter or friend in your life. I encourage you to fight for them and their future and support this initiative by purchasing a boxed set or two and helping us promote the campaign so that, together, we can create better outcomes for women."

The featured sock design has been paired with two other complimentary sock designs to form a beautiful boxed sock set that can be purchased to help fund critical ovarian cancer research into an early detection test and better treatments for patients.

Each year, a new guest designer will come onboard to design the featured sock for the boxed set.

Zoe says, "If ovarian cancer research was not so critically underfunded, my mum and many other women may still be here today. The grief of losing someone, let alone your mum, never leaves you, and to play a part in what the future landscape could look for ovarian cancer is so important. Think about a mum, aunt, sister, daughter or friend in your life. I encourage you to fight for them and their future and support this initiative by purchasing a boxed set or two and helping us promote the campaign so that, together, we can create better outcomes for women."

To date, Digga has raised over $350,000 for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation in the hope of increasing the very low survival rates for women diagnosed with this cancer.

In honour of all the women like Suzie who have lost their lives to ovarian cancer, will you walk with Zoe and the collective strength of those who choose to join this cause, as we work towards a world where every woman can embrace a life free from the shadows of ovarian cancer?

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Ovarian Cancer Socks - Boxed Set

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The Silent Killer

Every step counts in the fight against ovarian cancer. Please consider purchasing a beautiful boxed set of Ovarian Cancer Socks for yourself or a loved one and sock it to ovarian cancer this Christmas!

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynaecological cancer in Australia where 1 woman dies every eight hours from this silent killer. But Ovarian Cancer Socks are working to change these odds.

With every purchase of a boxed set, 100% of net proceeds will go directly to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, Australia's leading independent body dedicated to ovarian cancer research.

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* Data taken from Cancer Australia