AMP is rare among ASX 200 entities, having had both a female CEO and female chair in place since 2021, when Alexis George was appointed CEO.

Both Hazelton and George led AMP in the fallout from the banking royal commission, as well as through issues that plagued its AMP Capital arm. They also came to the helm just three years after AMP’s once gender-equal board became all-male, when three female board members stepped down at the same time following investor scrutiny and shareholder pressure.

AMP announced Hazelton’s retirement this morning, with former CEO of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Mike Hirst appointed as her replacement.

Hazelton took the lead on the board after former chair David Murray stepped down in 2020 following pressure on the board over its decision to appoint Boe Pahari as AMP Capital CEO, despite knowing he’d been ordered to pay a financial penalty for sexually harassing a subordinate.

The post Debra Hazelton steps down as chair of AMP appeared first on Women's Agenda.

batyr Chair, Ellen Derrick described the incoming CEO as a “powerful voice” who is “deeply passionate about amplifying young voices and their lived experience, alongside equipping young people and their communities with the tools to live their lives and flourish.”

“Acheson’s leadership is centred around driving transformative change, with lived experience at the core of this,” Derrick said in a statement. 

As a prominent figure in the Australian youth sector, Acheson has served as the CEO of Youth Action, Chair of the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition and Executive Manager of Policy and Advocacy at Arafmi. She was the lead youth lived experience consultant for the United Nations World Youth Report in 2022, and earned the title of Financial Review’s Woman of Influence in 2019. Last year, she was a Bob and June Prickett Churchill Trust Fellow, researching the ways involving young people in decision-making can help address rising mental ill-health. 

She is also the Co-founder of Numbers and People Synergy, a data analytics company working to improve social development policies. 

Acheson said she is “beyond excited to join the batyr team.” 

“I have been championing batyr from the sidelines for many years and it’s an absolute honour to now be stepping into the role as CEO to lead this incredible organisation,” she said in a statement.

“Their expertise in prevention and championing lived experience is being recognised and acknowledged in Australia and abroad for its proven impact.”

“I’m already proud of batyr’s work on the ground to date, and can’t wait to amplify this further. I’ll continue to ensure the team are supported, motivated and inspired to keep driving positive change for young people now and for generations to come.”

Derrick added that Acheson’s “depth of knowledge and experience across youth and mental health” is “inspiring.”

“We are excited to officially welcome Katie into the batyr family and see her leadership build on our strong foundations and guide batyr into the future.”

Acheson begins her role on February 19. Last week, the organisation launched its fifth Splash the Stigma swim fundraiser that will continue through the month of February. Splash the Stigma is batyr’s annual drive to “turn the tide on mental health”, where people are invited to take up swimming challenge to raise money for the charity’s education programs to help young people better understand their mental health.

The post Katie Acheson appointed CEO of youth mental health charity batyr appeared first on Women's Agenda.

Middleton has over 30 years experience covering federal politics as a reporter, analyst and commentator.

For the past eight years, she’s been chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper. Prior to that, Middleton was chief political correspondent for SBS and political editor for The West Australian. 

She’s also a regular panellist on ABC Insiders, a commentator on Australian politics for a range of domestic and international outlets and has written two books– a biography of Anthony Albanese; “Telling it Straight” and “An Unwinnable War” about Australia’s involvement in Afghanistan. 

Middleton says she’s “thrilled to be joining Guardian Australia”. 

“It’s already a big year in politics, and I look forward to working with the great team in Canberra to try to make sense of it all,” she says, as she’ll be joining the Canberra office to oversee Guardian Australia’s political coverage.

Guardian Australia editor Lenore Taylor says she’s “delighted” that Middleton will be joining the team, noting the “decades of experience, judgement, a significant record of news breaking and excellent analytical skills” that she’ll bring to the publication.

Middleton’s appointment follows the resignation of the former political editor at Guardian Australia, Katharine Murphy, roughly two weeks ago. 

A respected Australian journalist with nearly 30 years in the field, Murphy announced on social media that she was resigning to work in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s office. Having worked at Guardian Australia since the British media outlet extended to Australia in 2013, she, and the publication’s editor, Lenore Taylor, were key in the establishment of the independent media organisation in Australia.

The post Guardian Australia appoints Karen Middleton as new political editor appeared first on Women's Agenda.

The real estate and investment management firm made the announcement on Wednesday. Her role will involve working closely with key clients and stakeholders to deliver global, regional and local Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) strategies.

JLL’s CEO Dan Kernaghan said Collins’ new role will help establish change for an inclusive future for the company.

“Kara’s appointment as the Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion underscores JLL’s steadfast commitment to driving positive change and creating a more inclusive future,” Kernaghan said. 

“Her leadership and passion will undoubtedly inspire our employees to embrace diversity and champion equitable practices throughout our organisation.”

Collins joined JLL in 2018 as a senior property manager and outside her role, she led several state and national DE&I committees.

Collins’ hard work in the industry, paired with her commitment to DE&I, has not gone unnoticed: she received JLL’s Australian and APAC DE&I Award in 2020 and was a finalist in the WA PCA Property Leader of the Year Award in 2022.

Julie Skinner, the Head of HR at JLL Australia and New Zealand (JLL ANZ), said she is thrilled with Collins’ appointment.

“JLL ANZ’s inaugural appointment of a dedicated Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leader is a commitment to champion change for the future of our clients, communities, and team members,” she said.

“Welcoming Kara Collins into the DE&I Leader role is an extension of her six years of commitment to JLL’s clients and an opportunity to innovate in our DE&I deliverables to all stakeholders.  I’m thrilled to be working with Kara on these initiatives and we have an exciting, continued journey ahead of us.”

Collins will be working closely with Nashunda Williams, the global Head of DE&I, who is looking forward to working with her.

“Kara’s past accomplishments and experience reflects her commitment to fostering inclusive and equitable environments, where employees feel welcomed, valued, and empowered,” she said. 

“We look forward to the positive impact she will have in driving JLL’s DEI journey and creating lasting, transformative change.”

Collins said she is excited to get stuck into her new role at JLL ANZ, a company she has worked at for six years.

“JLL has continuously shown a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and I am honoured to be entrusted with leading these efforts for Australia and New Zealand,” she said. 

“I am excited to work with the passionate DE&I teams and leverage JLL’s extensive resources to ensure our workplace is an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and can thrive.

“We are fortunate that our clients are keen to partner with us in our Diversity endeavours, and we do not underestimate the role we can play in ensuring that the communities in which we operate are inclusive for all. I look forward to personally supporting our team in their partnership with our clients in this important work.”

The post Kara Collins appointed as Head of DE&I at JLL ANZ appeared first on Women's Agenda.

Muriel Wymarra, who was born and raised in Gimuy (Cairns), joins a remarkably diverse all-female board at AASW, becoming the fourth woman on the board with a First Nations background and the first of Torres Strait Islander culture.

Linda Ford, the National President of AASW, said the appointment of Wymarra is a major step in representing the diversity of First Nations cultures in Australia within the organisation.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are often identified jointly without acknowledging their unique cultural differences,” Ford said. “The AASW Board has recognised that we must value and promote both First Nations. 

“Muriel Wymarra’s appointment represents a significant milestone for the AASW board. Her wealth of experience and dedication to advocating for the Torres Strait Islander community aligns seamlessly with our inclusivity and cultural integrity mission.”

Wymarra has had an impressive career, amplifying the voices of Australia’s First Nations peoples in every role she has held.

Wymarra has worked in federal government administration, as well as not-for-profit organisations, and has served as the National Indigenous Social Work Group (NISWG) chairperson in Services Australia. She also provides counselling support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and is now pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy at Central Queensland University. Her research focuses on professional helping in Torres Strait culture.

Wymarra is looking forward to starting her new role as a Board Director at AASW.

“This is an exciting opportunity for a Torres Strait Islander social work practitioner to represent and amplify the rich diversity of Australia’s culture,” she said.

The Australian Association of Social Workers is the professional body for social workers around the country, supporting social workers and setting standards for education and practice within the industry.

Diversity of board directors in Australia is improving overtime. According to research from Watermark Search International and the Governance Institute of Australia, the percentage of women board directors on the ASX 300 list rose from 20 per cent in 2016 to 35 per cent in 2022.

However, most board directors in Australia still come from Anglo/European backgrounds, with just four per cent of board directors on the ASX 300 list Indigenous Australians.

The post Muriel Wymarra appointed as board director at Australian Association of Social Workers appeared first on Women's Agenda.

Murphy, the political editor at Guardian Australia, made the announcement on social media on Monday, reflecting on her nearly 30-year journalism career.

“28 years ago, almost to the week, I arrived in the Canberra press gallery,” Murphy said.

“I am deeply grateful to so many people for the opportunities I’ve had and for the generosity that has been extended to me by my mentors, colleagues and readers.”

I will be joining the office of @AlboMP

I want to say farewell by thanking Australians who support good journalism.

It has never been more necessary.

Thank you for your company. It's been a honour.

— Katharine Murphy (@murpharoo) January 28, 2024

Murphy has worked at Guardian Australia since the British media outlet extended to Australia in 2013. She, alongside Guardian Australia’s editor Lenore Taylor, were key in the establishment of the independent media organisation in Australia.

“Playing a part in establishing Guardian Australia with Lenore Taylor has been the greatest privilege of my professional life,” Murphy wrote on X.

“But it’s time – after nearly three decades – for a new chapter.”

Murphy revealed she would be taking up a role in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s office in Parliament House. According to reports, her final day at Guardian Australia will be on Friday.

“I want to say farewell by thanking Australians who support good journalism. It has never been more necessary,” Murphy wrote in her statement.

“Thank you for your company. It’s been an honour.”

Murphy is a respected journalist in Australia, reporting on Australian politics for nearly 30 years. In 2008, she won the Paul Lyneham award for excellence in press gallery journalism, and in 2012, was a finalist for a Walkley award in the best digital journalist category.

‘Go well, Katharine.’

Murphy’s colleague Lenore Taylor, editor at Guardian Australia, thanked her for her contribution to the online news site, saying her presence will be missed.

“Murph has been part of Guardian Australia project since the idea was conceived 10 years ago as what seemed like an audacious attempt to change Australia’s media landscape. It has succeeded beyond anything we imagined,” Taylor wrote on X. 

“Murph’s dedication, tireless work and brilliant political analysis have played a significant part in that success. On behalf of everyone at Guardian Australia, I’d like to thank her. We’ll all miss her terribly and so will our readers.”

Several journalists took to social media congratulating Murphy on her career and wishing her well for her new role.

“You’ve made a wonderful contribution to our collective understanding of Australian politics,” journalist Emma Alberici said. “All the very best in your new role.”

“What a huge loss to journalism in this country!” ABC Breakfast co-host Michael Rowland wrote on X. “I will miss your always considered and sometimes delightfully salty takes on the day and week in politics. Go well, Katharine.”

The news of Murphy’s career change did not go down well with Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton. On X, Dutton wrote he was “genuinely shocked” to hear that Murphy will now be “officially running lines for Labor”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is yet to publicly comment on the appointment.

The post Guardian political editor Katharine Murphy accepts job in Prime Minister Albanese’s office appeared first on Women's Agenda.

Williams, a former Chief Executive Officer of News Limited, will replace Ita Buttrose whose term as Chair comes to an end in March.

Albanese made the announcement at a press conference with Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, saying Williams was a perfect fit for the role. Previously, Williams has held roles as chairman of the Sydney Opera House Trust and Commissioner of the AFL. He was the CEO of News Limited (now News Corp) between 2011 and 2013.

“The ABC plays an essential role in Australia – it’s a pillar of our democracy, a lifeline in disaster, a voice for the regions and part of our cultural identity,” Albanese said on Wednesday.

“It’s vital our national broadcaster has a safe and experienced pair of hands at the helm – and that’s what Kim will provide.

“Kim is eminently qualified to provide ongoing stability and leadership to this deeply valued Australian institution.”

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland thanked Buttrose for her time as Chair.

“Ms Buttrose is a giant of the media and business worlds,” Rowland said. “She has shown steady leadership for five years. She’s maintained a strong defence of the ABC’s independence.”

“She was the right chair for the  right time and we wish her well for the future”.

Buttrose has been a trailblazer in the media industry, becoming the founding editor of Cleo magazine in 1972, and later editor of The Australian Women’s Weekly and The Daily Telegraph. She was appointed Chair of the ABC in 2019 by then Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Buttrose announced she would not seek another term as Chair of the ABC in August last year.

At the time, she said: “I shall miss my time at the ABC. It was an honour to chair. All the things I’ve done in my career equipped me for this role. It was a challenging job. I hope I’ve made a difference.”

The post Kim Williams to replace Ita Buttrose as ABC Chair appeared first on Women's Agenda.

On Wednesday, the airline released a statement announcing the former cabin attendant would start her role as president of the 71-year old company in April. It described Tottori as a member of staff who has acquired a “high level of insight and field experience” in safety operations and service.

Tottori, 59, started her career as a cabin attendant at the airline in 1985, before rising through the ranks of senior management, becoming senior vice president for cabin attendants in April 2020. 

Last year, she became the senior vice president for customer experience and chief customer officer. She is currently a senior managing executive officer. 

Tottori told a news conference on Wednesday she plans to bring her authentic self to her new role. 

“I plan to just be myself,” she said. “I have worked to adapt to changing values so customers keep choosing JAL. Safety and service have been the linchpin of my career.”

“I feel extremely responsible for passing on the importance of safety to the next generation.”

“I want us to think about our customers first,” Tottori continued, adding that she hopes to “create a group where employees are genuinely excited to work and can achieve their potential.”

As the first woman to lead JAL, the historic appointment has been heralded as a win for gender equality in a country with the worst gender gap among the Group of Seven nations. 

“There are female employees out there who are struggling with their career steps or going through big life events,” Tottori said. “I hope my appointment as a president can encourage them, or give them the courage to take the next step.”

Addressing the merger between Japan Air System and JAL which took place over two decades ago, Tottori said: “There isn’t a distinction anymore” between staff members who originally worked for JAS and for JAL, acknowledging “…things were hard at the time.” 

JAL has come under intense scrutiny since the crash on January 2nd between a JAL plane and a Japan Coast Guard aircraft at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. 

All 379 passengers aboard the JAL flight escaped alive, with many crediting the calm response by the cabin attendants and passengers. Five of the six coast guard crew members died in the crash. 

JAL’s current president, Yuji Akasaka said Tottori’s appointment had nothing to do with the accident at Haneda.

“I am confident she will be able to prioritize our customers while bringing out the best in our employees, steadily boosting the value of JAL Group as a leader for a new age,” he said.

Akasaka will become chairperson of JAL when Tottori takes her new post in April. 

The post Mitsuko Tottori, a former flight attendant, named first female president of Japan Airlines appeared first on Women's Agenda.

Colm Kelleher, the chairperson of the board of directors at the global corporation, said Kelly’s nomination promises great things for UBS Group.

“As one of the most influential voices in the Asia-Pacific financial industry and an acknowledged leader, Gail has an outstanding reputation,” Kelleher said.

“I greatly look forward to working with her on the Board.”

Kelly was the managing director at St George Bank from 2002, before being appointed as CEO of Westpac Banking Corporation in 2008. She was the first woman to be appointed as the chief executive of any major bank in Australia.

During her tenure as CEO of Westpac, she successfully oversaw the merger with St George Bank, deemed the largest market financial services merger in Australia. Kelly also navigated the company through the Global Financial Crisis and emerged on the other side stronger than ever.

Kelly was CEO of Westpac from 2008-2015. Since leaving the bank, she has  served as a senior global advisor to the UBS CEO and its group executive board from 2016-2023.

Kelly’s nomination to be elected on the board at UBS Group AG comes as Dieter Wemmer, the longest serving Board member of UBS Group US, informed the company he would not be standing for re-election to the Board of Directors.

UBS Chairperson Colm Kelleher thanked Wemmer for his eight years of service on the Board, a role he commenced in 2016.

“Dieter’s formidable expertise and personality will be missed on the Group Board,” Kelleher said.

Currently, there are four women who sit on the 13-person Board of Directors at UBS Group AG.

The Board election, for which Kelly has been nominated, will take place at the Annual General Meeting on 24 April 2024.

Kelly currently sits on several Boards, including Singtel, Woolworths Holdings Limited in South Africa and the Australian Philanthropic Services.

The post Gail Kelly nominated for position on UBS Group AG board of directors appeared first on Women's Agenda.

Nikolic is currently the CEO of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA), with the peak physiotherapy body in Australia announcing her resignation from the role this morning.

She will step down as CEO of APA on 15 March as she begins her new role at the AIDH, the peak body for digital health in the country, on 25 March.

Nikolic said she is grateful for her time at APA and excited to commence a new chapter in her latest appointment.

“Leading the outstanding team at the APA has been a true honour and privilege,” she said. 

“Collaborating with a dedicated board of experts and receiving unwavering support from our broader member community throughout my tenure has been immensely gratifying.

“Together, we’ve accomplished remarkable milestones and cultivated a culture characterised by innovation and excellence.”

Nikolic has helped membership of the physiotherapy organisation reach an all-time high of more than 32,000 members. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she established the APA as a key source of information for physiotherapists, and helped physiotherapists in WA return to practising during lockdown.

Nikolic is an ally for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, and people from the LGBTQIA+ community. During her time as CEO, which began in 2019, she established the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Staff Advisory Group, the LGBTQIA+ Advisory Panel and the APA’s fourth Reconciliation Action Plan.

“I am proud of our achievements, and I hold complete faith in the capabilities of the talented individuals who will continue to drive the APA’s strategic vision, and the physiotherapy profession, well into the future,” Nikolic said.

Mark Round, the Chair of the Board at APA, wished Nikolic well for her upcoming role at AIDH.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Anja for her outstanding leadership and tireless dedication to physiotherapy in Australia over the past nine years,” Round said.

“Under her guidance, the organisation has achieved remarkable growth and success. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours and know that she will bring the same level of passion and excellence to her new role.”

In a media statement, the AIDH said the team is excited to have Nikolic join their team, replacing interim CEO Mark Nevin FAIDH, who held the role since July 2023.

“The Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH) Board is pleased to advise that Anja Nikolic will soon be joining the Institute as CEO,” the AIDH said.

“Anja is excited to take on the opportunity to grow the influence and impact of the AIDH, to support the digital capabilities of the healthcare workforce and achieve our vision of Healthier Lives, Digitally Enabled.”

The post Anja Nikolic appointed as CEO of Australasian Institute of Digital Health appeared first on Women's Agenda.

The announcement was made on Monday morning, with the Chairman of the Grattan Institute Board Lindsay Maxsted saying Dr Sathanapally heading the organisation will secure a positive future for the Institute.

“We are delighted to be able to appoint someone of Aruna’s calibre, intellect, and standing,” Maxsted said.

“The Board is confident that under Aruna’s leadership, Grattan will continue to build its position as a permanent institution in Australian public life, to the benefit of present and future generations.”

A former barrister and management consultant, Dr Sathanapally has a strong background in law, completing her masters and doctorate at the University of Oxford as a Menzies Scholar and a John Monash Scholar.

She is currently the Executive Director, Macroeconomy at the NSW Treasury and previously led the Revenue division, the NSW intergenerational report, and health and justice reform.

Dr Sathanapally will become the third CEO of the Grattan Institute, as Danielle Wood departs from the role to become the Chair of the Productivity Commission. Dr Sathanapally will commence her role in late February.

In a statement, Dr Sathanapally said she feels honoured to be the next CEO of the organisation.

“Grattan Institute is Australia’s independent public policy powerhouse, so it’s an honour to take on this vital role,” she said.

“I know from experience that Grattan has a well-earned and enviable reputation in government and beyond for intellectual rigour and innovative thinking.

“Grattan’s Program Directors – Tony Wood in Energy, Peter Breadon (Health), Jordana Hunter (Education), Brendan Coates (Economic Policy), and Sam Bennett as head of the new Disability Program – are all recognised leaders and experts in their field.

“I can’t wait to start working with them and the Institute’s highly motivated research staff, to identify and advocate for better public policy in the interests of all Australians.”

The Grattan Institute is an independent public policy think tank, established in 2008. Since then, the organisation has advised governments and helped shape major public policies in Australia through research, reports and recommendations.

Some of the important policies Grattan has advised on include making paid parental leave more gender-equal and the Federal Government’s 2022 cheaper childcare package, among others.

The post Dr Aruna Sathanapally appointed as CEO of the Grattan Institute appeared first on Women's Agenda.

A seasoned business transformation specialist and CX pioneer, Gwynn has been at the forefront of the Australian tech startup scene for almost a decade following a successful international career as a corporate and government analyst and advisor.

“I really believe in TALK5’s mission,” said Gwynn. “We’re here to make safety universally comprehensible and accessible, irrespective of language or culture.”

Gwynn met TALK5’s founder George Bancs through a mutual friend in late 2022. Impressed by Gwynn’s track record in growing and scaling successful tech startups alongside some of Australia’s most impressive tech founders, Bancs invited her to join the organisation’s advisory board. 

In recent months she has taken on the role of CEO, and said she’s excited to work alongside George and our growing team to not only scale the business, but to lead the charge in AI-powered safety technology empowering a wide range of industries”.

In November 2023, TALK5 launched ‘Mina’ – the world’s first virtual safety, health coach and assistant, delivering voice-to-text and text-to-voice tools, in over 15 languages. This technology delivers essential safety instructions in each worker’s preferred language, eradicating potential misunderstandings caused by language differences. 

It’s a project close to Gwynn’s personal background as a migrant, having emigrated from Beijing to Sydney with her family as a teenager. She says going directly into an English-speaking high school was “a very scary process”, and she understands the impacts of cultural, linguistic and language barriers on learning and comprehension. 

Alongside Bancs, Gwynn’s vision is for TALK5 to redefine how language and safety intersect in the workplace. 

“What I love is the early-stage building part of an exciting young business, making an impact,” she says. 

Back in 2015, Gwynn was the first key go-to-market hire for global tech company SafetyCulture. 

“My years with Safety Culture gave me a really solid introduction to the work, health and safety space and instilled in me an obsession with safety and the importance of developing (and constantly evolving) an incredible product that delivers the best customer experience,” she said. 

 As their Global Head of Customer Success Gwynn achieved 40x MoM revenue growth and scaled the company from less than $1 million ARR to over $45 million, before joining recruitment disruptor Hatch in 2020. At Hatch, she led the industry-shaping development of their COVID-19 Labour Exchange, which placed thousands of workers in temporary employment in 2020.

Following Hatch, Gwynn joined Immutable, an NFT and blockchain technology platform, to lead all partnerships efforts. 

Now, as TALK5’s CEO, Gwynn is passionate about the software platform, saying it may ultimately “help save lives” as there’s “an increasingly diverse workforce, who are largely operating in high-risk sectors, with a sophisticated and efficient approach to work, health and safety training”. 

The post Shirley Gwynn appointed CEO of TALK5, an AI safety platform appeared first on Women's Agenda.