Events

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RISE Networking Events

These sessions are designed to create a supportive network and community for CARM women as you navigate your career journey towards leadership. Sessions are held every 6 weeks. Mark the days in your calendar as seen in the list of dates below. 

Timing: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm (Lunchtime)

Venue : Virtual

The structure of each session will consist of a guest speaker in the first half, followed by dedicated time for networking activities in the second half. Moreover, you will have the unique opportunity to connect with the broader RISE community, including Pilot, Phase 1B, and Phase 2 participants, as more members join the project over time. The events will be held on the following dates:

  • 7th February 2024
  • 3rd April 2024
  • 15th May 2024
  • 26th June 2024
  • 7th August 2024
  • 18th September 2024
  • 30th October 2024
  • 11th December 2024

Networking Event 7 with Guest Speakers
Malini Raj

Malini has over 20 years of experience working across several domestic and international Financial Services organisations

 She was most recently Head of Community Engagement at the Commonwealth Bank. She led the team responsible for building and enhancing the Bank’s relationship with the community sector and providing a community voice back to the business to improve customer outcomes in line with community expectations

She was also Chair of CommBank’s Cultural Diversity employee network Mosaic which is responsible for promoting culturally diversity and inclusion across the Group. She was also responsible for introducing the Corporate Hijab into the CBA Corporate Wardrobe for Muslim Women Employees.

She has a strong interest in making a social impact, reflected her multiple Board roles including as Board Director of the Settlement Council of Australia,

She is also part of the Race and Culture Coalition, a group of 20 corporate leaders advocating for diversity beyond gender in Board rooms and senior leadership positions – something she consistently advocates for.

Malini joined SSI at the UN Commission on the Status of Women earlier this year and jointly presented at a workshop titled Shattered Hopes – A multi-country perspective on drivers of poverty of migrant women and refugees” where she discussed banking and financial literacy for migrants and refugees. 

Networking Event 6 with Guest Speakers
Sheetal Deo and Dr. Virginia Mapedzahama

Join Senior Project Manager of the RISE Project – Sheetal Deo, in conversation with resident expert on all things race, Dr. Virginia Mapedzahama. Don’t forget your coffee/chai as you sit down to watch!
Virginia and Sheetal chat about the history and research behind the term “CARM” and why it’s important to talk about race.

Networking Event 5 with Guest Speakers
Jacqueline Mayer, Kathrina Lo and Suet Koon Lai

This month, join us for a session with Jacqueline, Koon and Kathrina to learn more about their lived experiences, struggles and what worked for them.  

Jacqueline Mayer (She/Her) Jacqueline Mayer is the Director of Multicultural Policy at the Department of Home Affairs. A former litigation lawyer, Jacqueline is now a happily established career public servant who prefers the Cabinet to the Courtroom. Prior to joining Home Affairs, Jacqueline held various executive level roles at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Department of Defence. For her dedication to advocating for gender and CALD diversity in the Australian Public Service, Jacqueline has been recognised in the Asian Australian Leadership Awards (40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian Australians), and is a Finalist in the upcoming L.E.A.D. Awards, presented by the Global Institute of Women’s Leadership. In her spare time, Jacqueline enjoys spending time with her Chinese Australian dog – an Australian Cattle Dog x Sharpei who responds to commands in both languages.

Koon (She/Her) Koon is an executive coach with over two decades of leadership experience at one of Australia’s largest global consulting firms. With a strong background in executive roles, she brings a wealth of real-life experience to support leaders through a holistic approach that combines practical insights with transformative coaching techniques. She has made significant strides in advancing numerous multicultural leaders, helping them unlock their full potential and overcome systemic barriers.

As a Malaysian-Chinese and a mother of three boys, Koon’s clients value her whole person approach, which helps them develop authentic leadership skills both in their professional and personal lives. She also helps her clients build a credible and trusted personal brand and network. Koon’s influence on leadership and cultural diversity on LinkedIn is felt by over 30,000 people worldwide.

Kathrina Lo (She/Her) Kathrina was appointed NSW Public Service Commissioner in April 2020, after previously working as a Deputy Secretary for the Department of Communities and Justice. Kathrina has extensive public sector experience with both state and federal governments. She has held senior executive roles in the NSW Department of Justice, NSW Audit Office and NSW Information and Privacy Commission. Kathrina is on the board of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government, and is on the advisory boards for the Macquarie University Law School, the UTS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and the University of Sydney Centre for Gender Equality at Work.

She is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia, and a member of Chief Executive Women. Kathrina has qualifications in law and economics. She is passionate about working in the public interest, and is a champion for diversity and inclusion

Networking Event 4 with Guest Speaker
Danielle Dobson

This month, join us for a session with Danielle Dobson and stand a chance to win a signed copy of her book “Breaking the Gender Code: How Women Can Use What They Already Have To Get What They Actually Want”.

You know that having women in leadership positions is an essential part of a diverse and inclusive culture, becoming an employer of choice and meeting business critical KPI’s and objectives.

But the truth is, if a person doesn’t believe in themselves, their value or that they are truly supported, they will not bring all of who they are, their potential and their unique contribution to the table.

Danielle Dobson uses her research-based Code Conversations™ framework to empower the women and men in your organisation to help you expose, decode and recode gender biases in the workplace.

Networking Event 3 with Guest Speaker
Tharani Jegatheeswaran

Tharani shared her invaluable insights and experiences on navigating pathways to leadership as a CARM Woman. Tharani Jagatheeswaran is a renowned Partner, National Relationships Leader, and Social Impact Leader at Deloitte. She leads the firm’s Race and Culture action plan to achieve “a leadership team and workforce that reflects diverse Australia.”

We are thrilled to have her insights on her journey and her guidance to fellow CARM Women. 

Networking Event 2 with Guest Speaker
Padmi Pathinather

Padmi shared her diverse sector and industry experiences, unpacking how to secure employment opportunities and explore leadership learning experiences tailored specifically to women who have faced cultural and racial marginalisation.

She focused on tips and strategies to position and promote yourself as a hi-potential candidate, attend interviews with confidence, and showcase your unique talents. She spoke about how to unleash your full potential and seize the opportunities you deserve!

 

Networking Event 1 with Guest Speaker
Dr. Morley Muse

Co-founder, iSTEM Co. and DEIR. Board Director, Women in STEMM Australia. Winner, Emerging Leader in STEM for the 2022 Women’s Agenda awards.

Dr Morley Muse is a Chemical, Environmental and Renewable Energy Engineer with expertise in wastewater treatment. She has worked across academia, government, and industry including in consulting and construction. As the co-founder of iSTEM Co, a research, consulting, and talent sourcing business that enables employment for women in STEM, Morley continues to encourage women, including women of colour and women from CALD backgrounds to further their careers in STEM.