Kristy Mee
Nearly Two Decades of Dedication to Pharmacy
For Kristy Mee, a career in pharmacy started with a simple step at just 17 years old. University wasn’t the path she wanted to take, so she applied for a pharmacy assistant position instead. What began as a front-of-shop role quickly turned into a lifelong career in the industry. Nearly two decades later, Kristy has become a familiar and respected presence at Fourways Pharmacy as Retail Manager.
“I started in the retail side of the pharmacy with the make-up and front-of-shop areas. Then a maternity leave position came up in the dispensary, and I filled in. I absolutely loved the dispense role and stayed there for quite a few years.”
Stepping into leadership
Kristy’s journey into leadership happened gradually. After years of experience within the pharmacy, she was invited to join the store’s leadership group – an initiative designed to bring together senior staff to guide decision-making and support the team.
“That was a real honour. Being recognised as someone who could contribute to the leadership group meant a lot to me.”
Not long after, the opportunity to become Retail Manager came up. At first, Kristy was hesitant, but she decided to give it a go. For Kristy, saying yes to Retail Manager ended up being the best decision. Today, Kristy’s role focuses entirely on the retail side of the business. At a large and busy pharmacy like Fourways, the leadership structure allows each manager to specialise in their area.
“My role is dedicated to managing the team on the shop floor. I focus on supporting the staff, looking after our retail areas, and helping the team reach our goals.”
Leading with people first
For Kristy, leadership is about people first. One of the biggest adjustments when stepping into management was navigating the change in dynamics with colleagues she had worked alongside for many years. Over time, Kristy found her own leadership style, one centred on fairness, communication, and encouragement.
“I try to be really fair with everyone’s shifts and responsibilities. Everyone has areas they enjoy working in, so I try to rotate people around so no one feels stuck in the same place all the time. When people feel valued and supported, they’re happier coming to work.”
Creating a positive workplace culture is something Kristy is especially passionate about.
“We really try to encourage each other and keep things supportive. It only takes one unhappy person for that feeling to spread through a workplace, so I focus a lot on making sure the team feels supported and heard.”
From pharmacy assistant to Retail Leader of the Year
In 2025, Kristy was recognised as Retail Leader of the Year, an achievement she describes as one of the proudest moments of her career.
“That would definitely be my biggest highlight. Just being recognised for the work you’re doing and the way you support the team means a lot.”
For Kristy, however, the most fulfilling part of her role isn’t the awards, it’s the people.
“Seeing the staff happy and enjoying their day is probably the most rewarding part. If I know someone’s had a good day at work because of something small I’ve done, that really means a lot.”
Supporting the local community
Beyond the pharmacy team, Kristy is also proud of the role the store plays in supporting the local Devonport community. Throughout the year, the team participates in a range of local events and initiatives, from charity fundraisers to community health support.
“We’ve supported things like triathlons and local events where we set up the TerryWhite tent and hand out supplies. We also run things like the Daffodil Day stall out the front of the store with the local radio station, which always brings the community together.”
The pharmacy also offers additional services to support locals’ wellbeing.
“Our care clinic allows customers to come in for things like blood pressure checks. Sometimes people just need somewhere to sit down, have a chat, or even help organise a taxi home. Those small things can really make a difference.”
Maintaining a supportive work culture
After nearly 18 years at TerryWhite Chemmart Fourways, Devonport, Kristy remains as passionate as ever about her role and the people she works with.
“At the end of the day, I just want the team to feel happy coming to work. When everyone feels supported, everything else falls into place.”
For Kristy, the goal is simple: keep supporting her team, maintain a positive culture, and continue serving the community that has supported the pharmacy for so many years.
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