Realise. Inspire. Support. Energise. (RISE) is a visionary project that aims to build pathways to leadership for women from culturally and racially marginalised (CARM) backgrounds. It is designed to identify and break down systemic barriers and to assist organisations in supporting women in middle management to reach senior leadership positions within their organisations.
RISE is a collaborative project between Diversity Council Australia (DCA), Settlement Services International (SSI) and Chief Executive Women (CEW) and is funded by the Australian government Office for Women through the Women’s Leadership and Development Program (WLDP) 2022-2026.
The RISE project works with 25 organisations across Australia to implement organisational change interventions to help address systemic and organisational barriers and support progression to leadership positions.
Why do we need the RISE project?
We know that CARM women face structural barriers when it comes to career advancement. DCA’s research has shown that CARM women in leadership in Australia are few and far between as systemic barriers remain in place. The research highlights that although CARM women are ambitious, capable, and resilient, they still experience a range of entrenched systemic barriers in Australian workplaces. These include:
- being assessed against biased leadership models
- not having access to influential social networks where promotion decisions are often made
- not having their voices or lived experience centred.
This is why the RISE project is working with organisations and CARM women to support them in designing and implementing lasting organisational change interventions that will address the root causes of the barriers that CARM women face.
Collaborate to create change!
The RISE project provides each of the 25 participating organisations with the following elements to effect change:
an organisational self-assessmenttool (ASSESS to RISE), completed by an internal project team and 15 CARM women in middle management in each organisation. The tool diagnoses key systemic barriers locking CARM women middle managers out of leadership.
an Action Plan template provides a strategic framework for organisations to create their own strategic action plan. DCA provides high level support with creating the action plan and organisations drive the implementation of the plan. Organisations are also able to take part in a community of practice with other participating organisations.
DCA’s Racism at Work training program provides anti-racism training aimed at stimulating nuanced, critical, and reflexive ways of understanding systemic racial barriers.
SSI’s Cultural Responsiveness training program explores sustainable ways to navigate a diversity of cultures in the workplace.
a Support Model for advancing CARM women’s leadership skills provides 15 CARM women in each organisation with coaching, mentoring, sponsorship, and a career advancement plan, so they can better leverage their leadership skills and progress in their careers.
CEW’s Leadership Development training program builds leadership capacity and provides opportunities for networking and membership connections, including an invitation to the CEW Connect community.
Program evaluation, completion, and celebration
The RISE project’s scheduled completion is planned for mid-2026 with publication of a report on project insights and an event discussing lessons from the project.
News and updates
- Breaking barriers for all women and girls this International Women’s Day: Think intersectionality!
- More major organisations commit to breaking barriers for CARM Women
- DCA calls on organisations to take an intersectional approach to gender equality
- Five prominent Australian organisations to join the RISE Project
- Arup & UTS join RISE project pilot
- DCA reveals Expert Panel to address barriers for CARM women in leadership
- New program launching to address barriers for women in leadership
News and updates
Our Partners
“Women face unique challenges and often have to work harder to achieve goals and overcome societal and cultural barriers that are placed in our way. This is further magnified for CARM women, who are strong, resilient and determined but face additional barriers to attaining senior leadership programs in Australia related to language, race and culture. SSI's own research shows migrant women from low- and middle-income countries and refugee women have greater or similar levels of education to women born in Australia yet are more likely to be employed in roles below their education and experience. “From both a social and economic point of view, it makes sense to invest in both, developing the potential of CARM women and addressing barriers by employers, to ensure they are equipped to overcome the gender, cultural and racial barriers they face.”
– Quotes attributable to Sonia Vignjevic, Acting CEO, Settlement Services International
“CEW's core purpose is "women leaders empowering all women” and we continuously strive to realise a vision that sees diverse women leaders at every decision-making table. The case for change is clear: diverse leadership is good for business. It delivers enhanced performance, stronger innovation, and increased retention. By increasing female participation in the workforce, we will address the critical economic and societal issues facing Australia today, for the benefit of everyone.
The RISE program will play an active role in empowering women from culturally and racially marginalised backgrounds with access to CEW's Leadership Development programs, providing them with the space and opportunity to learn, build new networks, and accelerate their leadership journey."
– Quotes attributable to Marie Festa, CEO, Chief Executive Women
