CEOs for Gender Equity

Diversity efforts are not failing, the communication about them is. In The West Australian, our CEO Ashley McGrath challenges the backlash against workplace diversity and why businesses must stay the course. Too often, companies introduce policies without taking employees on the journey. When people do not understand the purpose behind diversity initiatives, resistance follows. Merit is more than years of experience, it is about recognising skills, values, and untapped potential. With fewer women in executive and board roles in key industries, now is not the time to step back. Progress needs long term commitment, not short term fixes. Read the full article below or here: https://lnkd.in/gdvUka2Q #CEO #DEI

🤝 Advancing gender equity in community services How do we attract more men into the care sector? How do we ensure community work is valued appropriately? These were key questions explored at yesterday’s CEO roundtable, hosted by CGE member Mark Glasson, CEO of Anglicare WA. Bringing together community leaders, the discussion was open, solutions-focused, and addressed the unique gender equity challenges in the sector. Key insights included: ✅ Improve support for carers not just parents ✅ Tailored job ads and gender-balanced imagery to attract unrepresented groups ✅ Leadership programs and job-sharing can help address senior-level imbalance ✅ Adjusting job titles, such as Admin Assistant to Business Coordinator, broadens applicant pools ✅Need to break down societal barriers to men’s engagement in feminised industries and roles ✅ The sector has had success with employing men transitioning from another sectors (i.e mining, banking) ✅ The biggest challenge is ensuring care work is valued and fairly remunerated. At CEOs for Gender Equity, we create the space for leaders to share insights, challenge barriers, and implement real change. Want to be part of the conversation? Contact us at info@ceosforgenderequity.com.au #GenderEquity #Leadership #CommunityServices

We are proud to share that Henry Cooper and Ashley McGrath are co-mentors for the Future Female Leaders Program. This six-month program equips Year 11 girls in Western Australia with the leadership skills, professional networks, and confidence to drive change. Henry is the first male mentor in the program, bringing his experience as a youth counsellor and mentor to support young women as they develop confidence and leadership capabilities. Ashley returns as a mentor, continuing her commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders. As a visionary sponsor, CEOs for Gender Equity is proud to support this program, empowering young women to shape the future. #FutureFemaleLeaders #Mentor #GenderEquity

Resistance is part of progress. Big changes rarely happen without challenges. When new workplace policies are introduced, they do not always get immediate approval. Leadership questions the impact, concerns are raised, and more data is requested. But navigating resistance is not about avoiding difficult conversations, it is about using them to build stronger and lasting change. In this episode of Voices of Gender Equity, Martina Crowley shares how PwC managed leadership resistance, secured buy-in, and turned hesitation into action. We also explore pay transparency, AI hiring bias, and the role of leadership in creating meaningful workplace equity. 🎧 Listen now: https://lnkd.in/g49EwFks 💻 Watch here: https://lnkd.in/gNCR8DtH #Podcast #Leadership #GenderEquity

We are pleased to welcome Nathan Speed, Acting CEO of Arc Infrastructure, to our community of leaders. Nathan knows that lasting change requires commitment, action, and accountability. Leading an organisation with a long history, he recognises that building an equitable workforce must be intentional and sustained. He is committed to ensuring all employees have equal access to opportunities, career growth, and leadership. Beyond recruitment, he is focused on fostering a workplace where everyone is supported, valued, and empowered to succeed. By challenging outdated norms, addressing systemic barriers, and embedding equity into workplace culture, Nathan is driving meaningful and lasting progress. Read Nathan's full CEO Commitment here: https://lnkd.in/gAvMnGuh #CEOs #GenderEquity

✏️ Shaping the future of gender equity Henry Cooper, our Strategic Partnerships & Engagement Manager, joined a panel of leaders at Guildford Grammar School’s International Women’s Day breakfast to discuss the role students have in building a more equitable future. The conversation explored leadership, gender equity in traditionally male-dominated and female-dominated industries, and how social media influences perceptions of gender. Schools play a vital role in shaping the next generation of leaders by equipping young people with the awareness and confidence to challenge outdated norms and drive equity forward. Thank you to our CEO for Gender Equity, Peter Allen and the team at Guildford Grammar School for for the opportunity to be part of this important conversation. Engaging with these conversations early ensures they enter the workforce ready to build workplaces and communities where equity is not an ideal but a standard. #IWD #GenderEquity Henry Cooper Chanelle Van den Berg Susan E. Shaw

In recognition of International Women’s Day, our CEO, Ashley McGrath, joined our member Nathan Speed, CEO of Arc Infrastructure, to explore how their team can actively contribute to advancing gender equity. With rail and many other industries still being male-dominated, there is a significant opportunity to drive meaningful change. At CEOs for Gender Equity, we work with leaders and organisations to shift mindsets, share best practices, and provide the tools needed to accelerate gender equity in workplaces and communities. But real progress requires collective action. Every organisation, every leader, and every team member has a role to play in creating lasting change. Together, we are turning promises into progress and shaping a more equitable future. #CEOs #IWD #PromisesIntoProgress

PwC’s 26-week gender-neutral parental leave policy was a bold move, but the real shift happens when people take leave and share their experiences. A senior leader’s honest reflection on the challenges of full-time caregiving, the biases he faced, and how it changed his perspective helped spark conversations across the organisation. His story reinforced why normalising parental leave for everyone is just as important as the policy itself. In our latest episode, Martina Crowley shares how PwC Perth navigated resistance, why culture determines the success of workplace policies, and what businesses must do to turn equity commitments into lasting impact. 🎧 Listen now: https://lnkd.in/g49EwFks 💻 Watch here: https://lnkd.in/gNCR8DtH #Podcast #GenderEquity #WorkplaceCulture #Leadership

Promises are easy. Progress takes change. Henry and Ashley break down how leaders can make it happen with one action. #InternationalWomensDay #IWD #PromisesIntoProgress

Resistance to gender equity may exist in every industry. The question is: how are organisations overcoming it? At our first Gender Equity Deep Dive of 2025, gender equity leaders from our member organisations came together to answer that question. They shared what is driving real change, where challenges remain, and the bold steps being taken to move the dial. Some of the bold initiatives shared leading the way: 🔹 Making progress visible in leadership updates. 🔹 Using real-time feedback through Q&As and listening tours. 🔹 Leveraging AI to refine workplace communication. 🔹 Embedding equity into business strategy, not just policies. 🔹 Introducing immersive training like actor-led sessions. 🔹 Measuring impact through stories, not just statistics. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed. The openness and collaboration in these sessions are what make them so powerful in driving real change. These conversations are shaping the future of workplaces. Is your organisation part of the change? Contact us at info@ceosforgenderequity.com.au to join this leading community. #GenderEquity #CulturalChange