Employee Spotlight: Deb MacCauley
Keeping people at the centre
Meet Deb, Longveld’s People & Culture Manager. If you ask her what her job really is, she’ll tell you it’s pretty simple.
“Make sure we’ve got the right people, and make sure those people are happy, safe, and know how to do their jobs.”
Deb recently returned to Longveld after time away. A lot has changed, the team has grown, new faces have joined, and the business has moved forward – but some things feel instantly familiar.
“People are still willing to help, share information, and step in when you need it. That makes a big difference when you’re getting back up to speed.”
Strategy and sleeves rolled up
What Deb enjoys most about her role is the balance. She gets to operate at a strategic level, working on where the business is heading, while also working closely with the team on the floor and in the office.
“You’re not sitting above the work here. You’re involved. That’s true of the whole leadership team.”
A big part of her focus is supporting people to grow – sometimes into opportunities they haven’t even considered yet. That includes apprentices, long-standing team members, and people dealing with life outside of work.
“Everyone’s got stuff going on. Supporting people through that and seeing them come out the other side and be the best they can be, is what makes the job worthwhile.”
What makes Longveld different
Engineering is a traditional, hands-on industry, with clear rules around safety and quality. Longveld keeps those standards high but also pays attention to the human side of work.
“Our team is diverse – different backgrounds, cultures, languages, ways of thinking. We don’t train or lead people with a one-size-fits-all approach.”
That mindset is closely tied to Longveld’s values, especially Wholeheartedness.
“You can bring your whole self to work. There are days when you're not 100% and that’s okay. As long as you treat others with respect, people understand and support you.”
It’s one of the reasons Deb believes people stay at Longveld for so long.
“People genuinely care about each other here. Even when I wasn’t working here, I still felt connected.”
Trying things and learning as you go
Deb also points to Longveld’s openness to ideas and willingness to try new things. The four-day work week is a good example – trialled, adjusted, talked through, and improved along the way.
“If something doesn’t work, we say so, learn from it, and move on. There’s no fear in giving things a go.”
That culture makes it easier to keep improving, without waiting for everything to be perfect.
Outside of work
Outside of Longveld, Deb is a people person. She enjoys cooking, entertaining, travelling, walking, Pilates, and the occasional multi-day hike. She’s also developed a liking for French rosé, in particular from the sunny South of France.
Looking ahead
Right now, Deb’s focused on reconnecting with the team, getting to know new team members, and supporting the next stage of growth.
“There’s so much potential here. Sometimes it’s just about showing people what’s possible and supporting them to get there.”
Thinking about joining Longveld?
“If you want to work hard, in a place where people matter, ideas are listened to, and you’re supported to grow, this is the place to be.”
