Jill Roche, CEO, Brave Foundation

1. Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

Any woman that has persevered through adversity, often with personal sacrifice, so that others may benefit. There are many prominent examples throughout history but it’s the women who don’t get the accolades that I am both inspired and challenged by. Those creating change in a family or in a community - like the mothers I met in Uganda and Bangladesh who have risked their lives to guide their children to a new country to protect them from famine or war, or the many young mothers in Australia who are creating loving and encouraging home environments for their children despite their own experience of an insecure and unstable childhood. 

2. This year’s IWD theme is Cracking the Code: Innovation for a Gender Equal Future – have you seen any great examples of innovation in this space?

I have been fortunate enough through my paid and voluntary roles to meet incredible solution oriented entrepreneurial people who are pursuing bold ideas to change their community and even the world! The best grassroots examples I have seen have been where a whole community is pushing for gender equality. Where equal opportunity is valued and where imbalance is challenged, usually starting with acceptance that all girls should have the opportunity to be educated and to be raised without restrictions on their potential.

3. What is a great piece of advice you’ve been given that has always stayed with you?

It's not really a piece of advice – more a feeling of encouragement that has stayed with me. My first boss and mentor encouraged and supported me to embrace opportunities when they came. It leads to a life-long commitment to “have a crack” at something even when I am not sure where it will lead because every opportunity brings learning.

4. What are you wanting to see organisations do to address gender equity in Australia?

Organisational culture must be lead from the top and as a non-executive director and governance enthusiast I want to see greater diversity in representation at the Board level and in the c-suite and not only because a quota says that it should be so – but because women can bring discernment, skill, broad experience, empathy, compassion and strength!
 

Susan Fraser OAM, Senior Manager, Enterprise Partnerships and Development, Uniting

1. Who is a woman that inspires you and why? 

There are too many to mention. My mum who lived in the country, 3 little kids, no car, was in the army as a PT instructor for WW2, supported 1000’s of people; modest but strong. Julia Bishop, a person of strength and loyalty, wit and sharp mind. An old boss, Sherrie Coote, whose professional judgement I admired and followed, led with compassion and intelligence.

2. This year’s IWD theme is Cracking the Code: Innovation for a Gender Equal Future – have you seen any great examples of innovation in this space? 

Progression yes, at times snails pace. Women are leading in many areas, developing strong networks, and providing a platform of support for those coming after

3. What is a great piece of advice you’ve been given that has always stayed with you?

Be true to yourself, don’t forget your true north, and it doesn’t matter if your thinking is alone, others will come on board - be brave.

4. What are you wanting to see organisations do to address gender equity in Australia?

Have a platform of honesty and respect for all, providing opportunity and support for women, equal pay, no discrimination in terms of employment and family leave.
 

Carolyn Bond AO, National Coordinator, Economic Abuse Reference Group

1. Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

Many of the survivors of family violence that I’ve met through my work have had to fight very hard to re-establish their lives, and go on to fight systemic barriers that are faced by other victim survivors.

2. This year’s IWD theme is Cracking the Code: Innovation for a Gender Equal Future – have you seen any great examples of innovation in this space?

I'm interested to see more questioning of the design of traditional financial products that can be used as a tool for financial abuse by partners, and this is an area where there is scope for innovative products that reduce the risks of financial abuse. 

3. What is a great piece of advice you’ve been given that has always stayed with you?

Always have your own bank account.

4. What are you wanting to see organisations do to address gender equity in Australia?

Most organisations have staff and customers who are experiencing family violence, as well as those who are perpetrating it. Employers can do more to make the workplace a safe place for employees - as well as designing processes that can better assist customers who are experiencing family violence.
 

Rebecca Glenn, Founder & CEO, Centre for Women's Economic Safety

1. What is a great piece of advice you’ve been given that has always stayed with you?

Not so much a piece of advice given to me but something someone said at a Conference, which was “Every dollar you spend is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in.” I wish I could remember who said it! It resonated so strongly, that I now try and live my life accordingly. Not always successfully I might add, but it is a great prism through which to view your personal and professional consumer choices.  

2. What are you wanting to see organisations do to address gender equity in Australia?

I think until GDP includes essential unpaid labour, we will always be tinkering around the edges. Gender inequality is baked into our culture, systems and products largely off the back of outdated economic principles and gendered social norms. That said, organisations are part of our culture, participate in systems and produce products, so I encourage them to apply a gender lens to how these things work in practice for their employees, customers, clients and communities. Organisations can also listen to, and support the work of, advocates and activists working hard to shift the dial on gender equity.