On 27 September 2021, CIAS was delighted to welcome Her Excellency, the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of New South Wales (Australia) as Guest of Honour to inaugurate its project promoting women in leadership and building diversity in organisational decision making. The project was inaugurated through a webinar entitled, ‘Perspectives of Women on Boards in India and Australia’ celebrating achievements of women directors. It was a tribute to their journey, hard work and resilience.
The topic of gender diversity is not new and has been explored through various paradigms. The webinar added a different dimension by combining anecdotal experience of Australian and Indian women directors with contemporary legal and industry practices with the aim of strengthening corporate governance for proportionate gender diversity in leadership (key managerial roles) and governance (directorial roles). It considered opportunities received, and challenges faced by women directors on their journey as board members.
Four renowned non-executive women directors from India and Australia came together on a single platform to share their views on policy recommendations for improving vertical mobility of women in senior roles. Bringing a wide range of experiences were panellists from Australia- Associate Prof. Sarah Kelly, Non-Executive Director, Tourism and Events Queensland and Deputy Chair, Brisbane Lions AFL Football Club accompanied by Neema Premji, Federal Director, Australia India Council Board.
Joining the panel from India were Shalini Kamath, Independent Director, Abbott India Limited and Sonu Bhasin, Independent Director on multiple domestic and multinational companies. This session of high-profile women directors was impressively moderated by Sheba Nandkeolyar, National Chair, Women in Business- Australia India Business Council.
The webinar has benefited greatly from the invaluable support of the Australian Government under the Australian Alumni Grant Scheme, 2021 and the lead partners of CIAS - the University of Queensland, Australia India Business Council (AIBC) and the Institute for Australia India Engagement (IAIE). Vahura:OnBoards strengthened the webinar as its knowledge partner.
webinar is available here