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Media release: Women on Boards launches ThinkWomen 2011 National Lunch Series

Catriona Pollard - Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Women on Boards has partnered with the Commonwealth Bank and Accenture Australia to host a national lunch series and career workshops about gender in the workplace.

Following on from the success of the ThinkWomen 2010 National Breakfast Series, this year’s program will look at issues around the gender gap in Australian workplaces and boardrooms.

The theme of the 2011 series is ‘Get to grips with the gender gap’ and will look at managing difficult issues around the gender gap in workplaces and boardrooms.

Women on Boards Executive Director, Claire Braund said, “Speakers and attendees will discuss why the gender gap is an issue for businesses, how to identify and manage conscious and unconscious bias in your own workplace and how to work and lead with diversity.”

“Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with women who have succeeded in senior roles. They will be able to hear personal stories, engage with questions and be given advice and answers.”

“Women on Boards strives to empower women with the confidence and understanding required to reach senior positions in their workplace,” said Ms Braund.

Speakers included Dr Margaret Byrne, who is internationally recognised in executive development, leadership and change management and Cara Morton, Managing Director of Accenture’s Finance and Performance Management consulting business for Asia Pacific.

The ThinkWomen 2011 National Lunch Series will give early and mid level professionals in all sectors the chance to learn from experts the issues around the gender gap and how to manage them.  Both men and women are encouraged to attend.

Dates for the ThinkWomen 2011 National Lunch Series:
Sydney - 18 August 2011 at The Ivy
Melbourne - 23 August 2011 at The Hilton on the Park
Brisbane - 16 August 2011 at The Ivy
Perth - 10 August 2011 at The Parmelia Hilton

For more information go to http://www.womenonboards.org.au/events/thinkwomen/
Registrations open soon at www.womenonboards.org.au/my/events

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About Women on Boards
Women on Boards is a social enterprise to improve the gender balance on Australian company boards. Women on Boards brokers women into board roles, offers professional development and mentoring programs, hosts excellent events and ensures a high level of dynamic interaction across its large and influential network. http://www.womenonboards.org.au/


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CP Communications client Women on Boards was featured in In The Black Magazine

Catriona Pollard - Monday, May 16, 2011




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Media Release: 100th International Women's Day - Women still marking time in the boardroom

Catriona Pollard - Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Australian boards are not becoming more gender diverse and we run the risk of sidelining this critical issue in the hype surrounding the ASX200, a leading advocate and broker for women into board roles warned today.

Women on Boards used the occasion of the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day to remind people that women occupy fewer than 25 per cent of board roles on all but Government boards, and this is not trending upwards.

Launching its 2nd Boardroom Diversity Index, the only comprehensive publicly available index that tracks the performance of key sectors in our economy on gender diversity in the boardroom, Claire Braund, co-founder of Women on Boards, said it was easy to get carried away by the media hype surrounding the ASX.

“While ASX200 boards have increased directorship positions held by women by more than two percent in the past year, there is little or no movement in any other of the key sectors in our economy,” Ms Braund said.

“The 2nd Boardroom Diversity Index shows that some sectors, such as Credit Unions and Building Societies, have gone backwards in terms of the numbers of women and there has been little improvement in their processes around selection.”

 “A lot of people and organisations have suddenly found religion on the ‘women on boards’ issue, but the reality is that we are still fiddling at the margins when it comes to significantly addressing the percentage of women on boards and committees.”

Government to introduce quotas
Ms Braund said Women on Boards is calling on Governments at all levels to follow the South Australian Government example and introduce mandatory gender quotas for all publicly funded boards and committees. This includes Cooperative Research Centres, Rural Research and Development Corporations and National Sporting Organisation, which are all heavily funded by taxpayers.

“Where public money is involved there is a clear case for boards to be more gender and skills diverse. This not only improves governance and performance, but increases Australia’s standing in the international community, where it is clearly not well regarded in this area.”

Everyone else on notice
ASX companies, in particular the 85 in the ASX200 who still do not have a woman on their board, as well as Superannuation Trustees, Credit Unions and Building Societies are all on notice that they need to significantly lift their game over the next year.

“We are all praising ASX200 companies, but they need to double the rate of appointment of women this year to achieve our target of 25 per cent by 2012,” Ms Braund said.

“This is really not a difficult task as there are plenty of experience and qualified women who are ASX board ready – without additional training.”Ms Braund said.

"Women on Boards has the CVs of approximately 2,500 board ready women from its subscription base of 10,500, so here is a good starting point for any organisations not sure where to look," Ms Braund said.

Women on Boards has a free vacancy posting service for companies seeking to advertise to high quality female applicants and will conduct private searches on request.

Boardroom Diversity Index at: http://www.womenonboards.org.au/pubs/bdi/

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Women on Boards is a social enterprise to improve the gender balance on Australian company boards. Women on Boards brokers women into board roles, offers professional development and mentoring programs, hosts excellent events and ensures a high level of dynamic interaction across its large and influential network. 

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Media Release: Gender Matters Conference explores the importance of women as leaders

Catriona Pollard - Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Gender Matters Conference explores the importance of women as leaders 

With current trends forecasting a labour shortage of 1.4 million workers by the end of the decade, Australia’s economic success may depend on attracting and retaining skilled women and expanding their opportunity to lead. 

Women on Boards is bringing together a range of expert speakers at its third annual conference, Gender Matters, on 27-29 April to explore the serious issue of why, if women constitute 45 percent of the workforce in Australia, they are still under-represented in leadership roles and on boards. 

Leading speakers will be discussing cutting edge attitudes and actions for more gender diverse boardrooms and executive teams. The conference aim is to take leadership on this critically important issue in the coming decade. 

Claire Braund Executive Director of Women on Boards said, “There is no doubt that conscious and unconscious bias against gender continues to play a major role in the workplace and we want to provide people with the opportunity to learn, share and build powerful relationships to break this barrier and promote change.”

“The gender gap is a real issue with real implications and should be taken seriously by men and women, especially those working in corporate Australia where failure to appoint women can have real implications for company performance.”

“We have chosen presenters that will inspire delegates and provide strategies and actions to empower women to maximise their career potential and achieve senior roles as well as providing solutions to help companies make this happen,” said Ms Braund.  

There are over 30 inspiring and leading speakers including:
• Theresa Gattung, Chair Wool Partners International & former CEO of Telecom New Zealand
• Elizabeth Bryan, Chair Caltex & UniSuper, director Westpac and AICD
• Ralph Norris, CEO Commonwealth Bank of Australia
• John Porter, CEO Austar
• Mai-Lill Ibsen, Non-Executive Director of Norwegian public, private and government companies
• Elizabeth Broderick, Sex Discrimination Commissioner
• Josephine Sukkar, director Trust Foundation & Buildcorp
• Kim Anderson, director Carsales.com and STW Communications Group
• Dr Margaret Byrne, UGM Consulting

The conference will provide the opportunity for attendees to book free sessions with a number of ‘Directors in Residence’ who will provide the opportunity to discuss career directorship aspirations and provide expert advice. 

This year Gender Matters will have a strong focus on health and well being with nutritious meals, personal training sessions and free massages being offered to all attendees. Free childcare will also be provided for the duration of the conference and a book store will be set up to provide the opportunity to purchase reading material on key issues discussed. 

Details: 
Date: 27-29 April 2011
Where: Sheraton on the Park, 161 Elizabeth Street, Sydney
For more information and program details visit: http://www.womenonboards.org.au/events/conference2011/
To register visit: http://www.womenonboards.org.au/events/conference2011/registration.htm

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With current trends forecasting a labour shortage of 1.4 million workers by the end of the decade, Australia’s economic success may depend on attracting and retaining skilled women and expanding their opportunity to lead. 

Women on Boards is bringing together a range of expert speakers at its third annual conference, Gender Matters, on 27-29 April to explore the serious issue of why, if women constitute 45 percent of the workforce in Australia, they are still under-represented in leadership roles and on boards. 

Leading speakers will be discussing cutting edge attitudes and actions for more gender diverse boardrooms and executive teams. The conference aim is to take leadership on this critically important issue in the coming decade. 

Claire Braund Executive Director of Women on Boards said, “There is no doubt that conscious and unconscious bias against gender continues to play a major role in the workplace and we want to provide people with the opportunity to learn, share and build powerful relationships to break this barrier and promote change.”

“The gender gap is a real issue with real implications and should be taken seriously by men and women, especially those working in corporate Australia where failure to appoint women can have real implications for company performance.”

“We have chosen presenters that will inspire delegates and provide strategies and actions to empower women to maximise their career potential and achieve senior roles as well as providing solutions to help companies make this happen,” said Ms Braund.  

There are over 30 inspiring and leading speakers including:
  • Theresa Gattung, Chair Wool Partners International & former CEO of Telecom New Zealand
  • Elizabeth Bryan, Chair Caltex & UniSuper, director Westpac and AICD
  • Ralph Norris, CEO Commonwealth Bank of Australia
  • John Porter, CEO Austar
  • Mai-Lill Ibsen, Non-Executive Director of Norwegian public, private and government companies
  • Elizabeth Broderick, Sex Discrimination Commissioner
  • Josephine Sukkar, director Trust Foundation & Buildcorp
  • Kim Anderson, director Carsales.com and STW Communications Group
  • Dr Margaret Byrne, UGM Consulting

The conference will provide the opportunity for attendees to book free sessions with a number of ‘Directors in Residence’ who will provide the opportunity to discuss career directorship aspirations and provide expert advice. 

This year Gender Matters will have a strong focus on health and well being with nutritious meals, personal training sessions and free massages being offered to all attendees. Free childcare will also be provided for the duration of the conference and a book store will be set up to provide the opportunity to purchase reading material on key issues discussed. 

Details: 
Date: 27-29 April 2011
Where: Sheraton on the Park, 161 Elizabeth Street, Sydney
For more information and program details visit:  
http://www.womenonboards.org.au/events/conference2011/

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Media Release: Women on track for visibility & leadership success

Catriona Pollard - Thursday, January 20, 2011
Women on Boards and UBS today announced the successful participants in their co-hosted Next Generation of Corporate Female Leaders Program.

Claire Braund, Executive Director Women on Boards, said 82 applications were received for the mentoring and professional development program, which commences in March 2011.

“We are very pleased so many women took the time to apply for the 24 self-supported and two funded places – and only sorry we could not accept all of them,” Ms Braund said.

“Those who were selected represent a wide range of sectors and organisations across four states – NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia.”

The program was open to all Women on Boards subscribers and applicants independently ranked by two judges on the basis of how well they met the selection criteria and their overall suitability for the program.

Ruth Medd, Chair of Women on Boards, and one of the two judges, said she was impressed by the quality of the applicants some of whom were very senior.

“It is clear that the content of the program, which focuses on building people’s capacity rather than increasing their skills, has resonance with women across the corporate sector,” Ms Medd said.

The highly structured program runs across three sessions in March, June and September 2011. It aims to increase the visibility of high potential women within their organisations and sectors by providing them with the confidence and capacity to successfully engage with and present business proposals and reports to boards and leadership teams.

The program will be hosted by UBS in Sydney and include leading chairs and directors:
• James Strong, Chair Woolworths & director Qantas
• Peter Mason, Chair AMP and senior advisor UBS
• Rob Thomas, Chair Tower Australia, director Virgin Blue
• Peter Scott, Chair SKM & Perpetual Trustees, director Stockland
• Eileen Doyle, Director Boral & GPT
• Emma Stein, Director DUET & Clough
• Adam Ramshaw, Director Genroe

Ten women selected by UBS will also participate in the program.


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Media Release: Exploding career myths: How to set yourself up to succeed. ThinkWomen National Breakfast Series

Catriona Pollard - Monday, August 23, 2010
Tactics to assist women achieve better outcomes from salary negotiations are just one of the topics discussed at a nationwide breakfast series, which is coming to Adelaide this week. 

Claire Braund, Executive Director of Women on Boards, said that with a nationwide gender pay gap of 18 per cent it is important that women know what they are worth in the marketplace and how to negotiate a salary on par with men who are doing the same job. 

"Unfortunately there are many areas where women are discriminated against in the workplace, but being informed is the key to navigating a successful career," Ms Braund said. 

"For this reason, the Think Women National Breakfast Series focuses on delivering 'how to strategies' and take-away actions that will empower women to better negotiate their workplaces and achieve senior roles."

The breakfast and follow-on three hour workshop is particularly targeted towards younger women and men in the earlier stages of their career.

"Many younger women - and men of all ages - do not think gender is a factor in developing a career. This is despite research, statistics and case studies which show it to be the case."

Hosted by Women on Boards and sponsored exclusively by Commonwealth Bank Australia, the ThinkWomen 2010 National Breakfast Series puts career gender issues that we often don’t like to discuss firmly on the agenda. 

As one woman who attended the sell out session in Brisbane said:

“The speakers were fabulous, the content was very informative and thought-provoking …I'm really happy that I was able to attend such a high quality event, which has really inspired me to get myself into gear and push onward and upward!"

The breakfast is followed by an optional three hour workshop, Getting Started: Recognising Your Career Potential and a light networking lunch. 

When: Thursday 26 August 2010 from 7am
Where: The Intercontinental, North Terrace Adelaide SA 
Cost:  $88 breakfast, $330 workshop and breakfast, $275 workshop only
How to Register: Click here

Additional seminars:
Perth
When: Thursday 2 September 2010 from 7am
Where: Parmelia Hilton Perth, Mill Street, Argyle Ballroom, Perth
Cost:  $88 breakfast, $330 workshop and breakfast, $275 workshop only
How to Register: Click here

Canberra
When: Tuesday 21 September 2010
Where:  Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit Barton ACT, 2600
Time: 7am – 1:45pm
Cost:  $88
How to register: Click here

Women on Boards is a social enterprise to improve the gender balance on Australian company boards. Women on Boards brokers women into board roles, offers professional development and mentoring programs, hosts excellent events and ensures a high level of dynamic interaction across its large and influential network.


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Media Release: Women the losers from 2010 Election

Catriona Pollard - Monday, August 23, 2010
The hidden outcome of the 2010 Federal Election is a sharp drop in the number of women in the House of Representatives to below 25 per cent.

Claire Braund, Executive Director Women on Boards, said there is likely to be just 36 women (24 per cent) in the House of Representatives compared with 41 women (28 per cent) in the last Parliament.

"This is a disappointing outcome that will have consequences for Government policies across all portfolios."

"Unless the Government looks like the society it seeks to govern, then there will be an imbalance in the decision making process." 

There are two key reasons for the fall in the number of women:
• Nine of the 20 sitting members who did not seek re-election were women.
• The Liberal National Party (LNP) of Queensland that won back the most seats from Labor has just three female members out of 21.

"It was somewhat dispiriting to watch television on Saturday night and keep seeing seat after seat in Queensland where the winning LHP candidate was male." 

"At 14.3 per cent women, the LNP is on par with the boards of ASX200 companies in the numbers of women in decision making roles."

"The two bright lights were Jane Prentice in Ryan and Women on Boards member, Therese Gambaro in Brisbane - whose seat is still not declared."

Ms Braund said the overwhelming male candidature of the LNP was something the party needed to address if it was to continue as a major force in Australian politics.

"In most cases people tend to vote for parties, not individuals, so it is important that parties exercise responsible leadership and actively encourage and support women to stand for pre-selection...and then ensure they select them in safe seats."

The fact that few women stand for pre-selection has more to do with the culture of political parties than it does with a lack of interest in politics on behalf of women."

Many men do not realise how difficult it can be for women to break into - and then feel comfortable in - a club of men whose interactions and by-plays have little resonance with their norms and behaviours," she said.

Ms Braund also noted that none of the 10 seats won by the Nationals and country independents were held by a woman. 

"The National Party has been a poor performer in relation to gender diversity in its elected members, which is somewhat anomalous given the large proportion of smart, engaged, tertiary educated businesswomen living in rural Australia."

 

Women on Boards is a social enterprise to improve the gender balance on Australian company boards. Women on Boards brokers women into board roles, offers professional development and mentoring programs, hosts excellent events and ensures a high level of dynamic interaction across its large and influential network.

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