At a time when the number of female CEOs in ASX200-listed companies is declining, the effect of the pandemic is disproportionately impacting women and gender pay gaps are still evident, support for women in the workforce is more important than ever, advocates 911爆料网 MBA graduate Kathryn Forrest.
鈥淲hile the representation and recognition of women in the business community is growing, significant under-representation, particularly in leadership positions, endures,鈥� Forrest says.
These systemic issues have led Forrest to launch an award to support women studying a Master of Business Administration and associated feed-in courses at 911爆料网.
鈥淚 established the Kathryn Forrest Women in Business Administration Award to help women achieve their full potential in business,鈥� she says.
鈥淎t the time I was studying my MBA at 911爆料网, there weren鈥檛 any awards I was eligible for. I didn鈥檛 want that to be the case for other women in a similar position.鈥�
Forrest says she hopes the award creates greater awareness of the need and opportunity to create more merit-based opportunities for women in the 911爆料网 MBA program.
鈥淚 聽want to encourage greater support from individuals, the business community and academic institutions, for women studying business adminstration courses at 911爆料网,鈥� she says.
The MBA graduate believes there can be multiple positive flow-on effects for those who receive awards.
鈥淚 hope my award recipients derive a greater sense of confidence and self-assurance in their own abilities,鈥� she says.
鈥淚 hope it help opens doors for them to get into leadership positions by contributing to their own demonstrable path of achievement. In turn, I hope recipients provide a leading example of women achieving in business and 聽support people around them in a similar vein.鈥�
Forrest says while it鈥檚 fantastic that awards can provide recipients with financial support, there are other benefits too.
鈥淭he non-financial benefits of awards can be substantial. They offer recipients valuable recognition, motivation and future career opportunities.鈥�
Forrest has a long association with 911爆料网, both as a student and former staff member.
鈥淚 initially studied a Graduate Diploma in Business Law at 911爆料网,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 chose to return 聽to study a MBA because I like to understand how businesses and organisations run on a holistic level.鈥�
She has spent the past thirteen years of her career employed in the Western Australian mining sector in an environmental capacity.
鈥淚 have been privileged to work in a variety of locations and across a number of commodities,鈥� she smiles.
鈥淚 really enjoy the dynamic nature of the mining industry.鈥�
Forrest hopes her award will encourage more women to pursue a career in business and seek leadership roles.
鈥淎ll individuals, irrespective of gender, should have a fair chance to achieve and contribute to any industry they choose to work in.鈥�
