Ambitious agendas for women of influence
Ming Long and Leone Lorrimer have been named in an exclusive list of 100 Women of Influence for their work to drive gender equity and break through the ‘bamboo ceiling’.
The Australian Financial Review & Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards, now in its fifth year, recognises a broad cross-section of female leaders in the business, academia, health, welfare and community sectors.
Well-known names, such as mining magnate Gina Reinhart and Today Show host and editor-at-large of Huffington Post, Lisa Wilkinson sit alongside rising stars such three-time Paralympian and motivational speaker Ellie Cole.
Lorrimer (pictured, right), the chief executive officer of dwp|suters was acknowledged for her work in the gender equity space, particularly in relation to the architecture profession.
Currently a pay equity ambassador for the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, Lorrimer is also driving an ambitious agenda through the Australian Institute of Architects’ gender equity committee.
“Our profession designs buildings and entire cities, so it’s important we get a more holistic, female view when planning our cities, and the places that we live and work in,” she says.
A lot of Lorrimer’s work has been around “making the invisible women visible” – creating mentoring programs, profiling opportunities and a database of female architects who can present at conferences and speak to the media.
While her focus has been on architects, Lorrimer says the issues are the same in each sector of the property and construction industry. She applauds the work of the Property Council, NAWIC and others, such as Chief Executive Women, of which both she and Long are members.
‘The statistics are the same for each profession – so we need to work across the industry to share the best ideas and the actions that work. It’s about networking to join the dots.”
Long (pictured, left) was selected by the AFR for leading with integrity throughout challenging circumstances, such as the global financial crisis, and more recently for her work as CEO of listed fund IOF.
More recently, she’s spoken up about the bias that can exclude people of Asian backgrounds from leadership – a phenomenon called the ‘bamboo ceiling’.
Long says she has been “reticent” about any sort of recognition, but has grown to see that future generations of men and women need role models.
“For me, particularly as an Asian woman, I have come to understand the need to stand up and show that people of different ethnic backgrounds are also leaders.”
The only Asian woman to have led an ASX100 or 200 company, Long says she is “astonished” that this can be the case in 2016.
“The assumption is that if you’re an Asian woman within this country you’re meant to be quiet, meek and mild and sit in the background.
“It’s great to see that the industry is starting to understand that diversity is a strategic imperative,” she says, and urges leaders to demonstrate and role model the organisational culture they want for the future.
“We need culture that is inclusive and values everyone’s contributions. I would love people to understand diversity and inclusion as a business, moral and personal imperative.”
Long says everyone has power and influence, and is inspired by many women’s focus on leaving the world a better place.
“You may feel that your pebble is small but if you throw it into a lake it still creates ripples. It’s what you do with that power and responsibility that makes you a woman of influence.”
The 10 category winners and overall winner for the year will be announced on 27 October. To learn more visit: www.100womenofinfluence.com.au