Chair of the 2016 Hunter Diversity Awards, Belinda Smith, said that each of the 2016 finalists demonstrated great leadership in developing policy but it was their commitment to executing this into practice that was encouraging and influencing diversity in the Hunter.
“Innovation and collaboration are critical to the region’s ability to be diverse, fair and equitable,” Belinda said.
“Each of the Finalists is breaking new ground and challenging traditional stereotypes.”
“Some finalists were developing clever approaches to business practices that include targeted professional development and secondment opportunities aimed at improving flexibility, inclusivity and equal opportunities for the workforce,” Belinda continued.
“While others use professional connections to collaborate for initiative that improve gender, ethnicity and age diversity. Tackling some of our community’s biggest issues in domestic violence and equitable paternal leave are also among the shining examples of what our finalists are doing.”
“These organisations aren’t just paying lip service to ideas. They’re having critical conversations with their employees, customers and the community to find out what works as opposed to implementing popular policy and legislation,” she concluded.
The individual finalists of the 2016 Hunter Diversity Awards are:
- Jon Chin
- Leah Gilbert
- Karen Howard
Organisations named as Finalists of the 2016 Hunter Diversity Awards are:
- PKF
- Sparke Helmore
- Urdarov Accountants
- ARTC
- APP
The Awards will be announced as part of the International Women’s Day breakfast to be held at Wests New Lambton on Friday, 4 March 2016. The breakfast will also include an in-depth panel discussion with business leaders about gaps that exist for men and women in the workforce.
The Awards are supported by gender equity champion The Sista Code, Hunter Region Chamber Alliance Partners, the local team at Endota Spa and the Newcastle Herald.
Image | Belinda Smith (The equal futures project), Melissa Histon (The Sista Code), Kathy Butler (2015 Champion ), Professor Liz Burd (University of Newcastle)
Image courtesy of Photographed by Edward Cross
