WOB eNews: May 2010

Women on Boards welcomed two new corporate members in May 2010 - IBM and Commonwealth Bank of Australia. We look forward to working with both organisations.

This month in eNews

  1. Women Making Headlines
  2. WOB Out and About
  3. Articles of the month
  4. WOB Preferred Partners
  5. Career tips: Accessing government boards    
  6. In the Boardroom  
  7. Profiles of the month    
  8. Supported events  

 

1. Women Making Headlines

Appointments to ASX200

  • Emeritus Professor Denise Bradley AC joined Seek Ltd on 15 February 2010
  • Christine Holgate, CEO Blackmores joined Ten Network Holdings Ltd on 31 March 2010 

WOBers in AICD mentoring scheme

To date we know of four Women on Boards members who made it onto the AICD mentoring program. 

  • Bronwyn Evans with David Mortimer
  • Andrea Staines with Rick Allert
  • Robyn Watts with Ian Pollard
  • Rebecca Davies with Kevin McCann

AICD has published the names of the 56 mentors, but not the 63 mentees. Of the mentors, 18 (32 per cent) are on a board without any women. As the scheme is picking the low hanging fruit in that those selected are ASX200 ready. So this may be a sensible (but not a long term) solution to addressing the immediate issue of getting at least one woman onto many boards.

For the full list of mentors, their companies and the percentage of female directors go to: http://www.womenonboards.org.au/publications/lists/aicd-mentors.index

Boardroom Diversity Index

Women on Boards wrote to John Laker, the Chairman of APRA lamenting the lack of gender data when we were compiling the superannuation funds component of the Boardroom Diversity Index in January 2010. Mr Laker has responded providing a full range of gender data for APRA regulated entities. Go to: http://www.womenonboards.org.au/publications/bdi/apra_entities.htm

2. WOB Out and About

In the news

  • Ruth Medd - ABC Lateline on 20 May 2010 with Gail Kelly, CEO Westpac and Belinda Hutchinson, Chairman Elect QBE Insurance on a report about the lack of gender equality in senior roles in Australia's corporate landscape.  Read the transcript or watch the broadcast at http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/business/items/201005/s2902108.htm
  • Claire Braund - interviewed on Sky News on 27 May 2010 about women on sports boards. This followed comments by Elizabeth Broderick, Sex-Discrimination Commissioner, who called for more women on sporting boards after the incident with two St Kilda Football Club players. Claire said both the AFL and NRL need to be
    looking at getting their houses in order and there are failings in leadership and corporate governance in these sports.
  • Claire Braund - interviewed on 5AA during a recent visit to Adelaide and ABC Radio Newcastle both in relation to paucity of women on boards.

Speaking Engagements

  • Ruth Medd was a keynote presenter and panel chair at the Local Government Manager's Association National Congress in Adelaide in May. She was a great hit - especically with the women who are seeking to redress the very poor representation of women in management in local government. 2010 is the Year of Women in Local Govenrment and Women on Boards is working with the sector on a number of initiatives.
  • Ruth Medd delivered a paper at the International Women in Sport Conference held in Sydney in May. This is another sector seeking to improve the numbers of females in management and on sports boards. For details about women in sport go to the Boardroom Diversity Index at: http://www.womenonboards.org.au/publications/bdi/nso.htm

Spheres of Influence

  • Ruth Medd has been invited to sit on the Gender Diversity Coordination Panel to progress a shared agenda around diversity. The panel has been set up by Elizabeth Broderick, Sex Discrimination Commissioner.

3. Articles of the month 

The great disappearing act: Gender parity up the corporate ladder (Bain and Company)

Another ground breaking article this month about the different perceptions men and women have of opportunities for women. Bain & Company recently conducted a worldwide survey—in association with the Harvard Business Review—on “Gender Parity in the Workplace.”   The survey attracted more than 1,800 respondents, with nearly 60 percent in senior management or executive positions. While more than 75 percent of the respondents are women, men actively participated in the survey— often providing a provocative and thought-provoking counter-point.  The survey results show that while both men (91 percent) and women (82 percent) aspire to be senior leaders in their organization, fewer women realize their dreams than men.

Read the full research paper at: http://www.womenonboards.org.au/publications/reports/index.htm

Gender not mainstream

Opinion piece by Claire Braund, Executive Director Women on Boards, in response to comments made by AICD CEO, John Colvin, in the Advertiser (Adelaide). Published 20 May 2010. To read the article go to: http://www.womenonboards.org.au/publications/articles/gender-not-mainstream.htm

4. WOB Preferred Partners

Getting There: My Style

A South Australian based style guru is now available - go to http://www.womenonboards.org.au/professional-development/mystyle/index.htm.   Queensland and Western Australia are to follow shortly along with a voice coach.

5. Career tips: Where to look for Government Boards?

There are thousands of Government boards and committees in each state and nationally. The best places to look are usually all of Government general directories in the premier or treasurers departments or the determinations of the Remuneration Tribunals - because you will find out how much the boards are paid.

To find the a list of Government boards and committees  go to: http://www.womenonboards.org.au/resources/boards/government.htm.

ACTION: Have a look for Federal Government Boards at Part-Time Office Holders Determination  amd find yourself and good board to pitch to.

6. The Boardroom 

Support a WOBer 

Lucy Pryor is a candidate for the upcoming election for a Trustee position on the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust (the Trust).  She is seeking support. If you know someone who is a member of the Trust (SCG and/or Sydney Football Stadium) forward this message or let them know via Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.Voting closes at 12noon on Tuesday 15 June 2010. To contact Lucy email her at: lfpryor@hotmail.com

On Board success stories

We like to track where WOBers are. Here's a list of the latest  appointments we have heard about. One of the core principles of moving forward in your career is networking. In a survey conducted by Women on Boards, 14% of respondents said they gained their board role by a referral from a colleague or friend. A further 39% said that they were either approached by, or knew, a director or the chair.

Keep an eye on where other WOBers are.  A strategic coffee may just help you land the board role you want.

  • Andrea Staines - onto two boards this month. One a top50 to be.
  • Lim Braybon - onto a sports board
  • Penny Le Couteur - two new boards
  • Jane Shelling - a Canberra board
  • Allison Golsby - NSW industry association board
  • Amanda Spalding - NSW startup   

Details at http://www.womenonboards.org.au/boardroom/onboard.htm

7. Profiles of the month 

Jessica Saad - early career director

Women on Boards subscriber Jessica Saad Jessica completed a Bachelor of Commerce in 2009. Jessica has served as President for the Junior Chamber International Illawarra , Non-Executive Director and Chair of Services Committee for UniCentre Ltd and was the youngest ever appointee to the Illawarra Business Chamber Board of Directors. 

She shares her "SCREW IT" attitude to 'giving it a go' and provide helpful tips for younger women starting out. Go to: http://www.womenonboards.org.au/boardroom/cs/saad_jessica.htm

Vivien Thomson - rural & regional director

Vivien won one of six scholarships to the 2nd Diversity on Boards Conference. She has been with Women on Boards since early days and shares her 'memorable and joyful journey' at http://www.womenonboards.org.au/subscribe/profiles/vivien_thomson.htm

8. Supported events & activities

WOB in conjunction with Lesley Dimmick of TAP Gallery have set the date for the WOB Art Prize as Thursday March 2011.  This event is open to women artists in all media. Due to the large numbers attending last year the presentation event will be by invitation to WOBers plus hung artists. The community event will be later in the week. Paint brushes out everyone.

There will also be the Signature Pieces Prize for women jewellers. This event will be held at Gaffa Galleries.

Supported activities are at: http://www.womenonboards.org.au/events/external/index.htm  

  • Statement Pieces Jewellery Exhibition
  • Women, Management and Work Conference 
  • Buildmore Women Into Building Housing Showcase  
  • Mercy Foundation - Help us help women
  • Mergers & Acquisitions 2010 - Sixth annual conference for personnel involved in M & A transactions