The Australian Institute of Company Directors and Out Leadership have announced the launch of Quorum, a talent accelerator for LGBT+ board members and directors.
It is believed the program is the first LGBT+ board level initiative of its kind to take place in Australia. It’s goal is to provide potential candidates with first-rate training and networking opportunities.
Since launching in 2015, Quorum has held events around the world engaging senior business leaders, raising awareness of the under-representation of LGBT+ people on corporate boards, and connecting member companies with potential qualified board candidates.
The global Quorum network has grown to over 900 senior LGBT executives and potential director candidates.
Marcel Mol, AICD General Manager, Education, Australian Institute of Company Directors said their organisation was excited to be partnering with Out Leadership to bring this program to Australia.
“The Australian Institute of Company Directors is pleased to partner with Out Leadership in its work to highlight the value of diversity in Australian boardrooms,” Mol said.
Out Leadership Founder and Principal Todd Sears welcomed the expansion of the porgram into Australia.
“At this year’s Out Leadership Summit in Sydney, we’re thrilled to officially launch our talent accelerator Quorum, which seeks to expand the global conversation around board diversity to include LGBT+ business leaders”
“We’re grateful to be doing so in partnership with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, which has already done so much to advance the Australian business community’s sense of what corporate boards might be able to accomplish when it comes to leading with values.”
The Quorum global program is made possible with the support of founding sponsor KPMG and is part of the programming for the 4th Annual Out Leadership Australian Summit.
Since 2016, Out Leadership Summits have convened senior Australian LGBT+ directors, business leaders, and allies to discuss the business case for valuing differences at the boardroom table and consider forward-thinking advocacy.
The 2019 Annual Out Leadership Summit in Australia is hosted by Macquarie. The summit is taking place in Sydney on November 13th & 14th.
In addition to the launch of Quorum, the Summit includes a CEO and Board Leadership Dinner featuring a panel discussion and OutNEXT Salon, the only global talent development program for emerging LGBT+ executives. Out Leadership member companies have selected high-performing, high-potential, openly LGBT+ employees to participate.
Shemara Wikramanayake, CEO Macquarie Group, will participate on a panel discussion moderated by Todd Sears, Out Leadership Founder & Principal, targeted to C-Suite and senior business leaders in Australia.
The event will include a cocktail reception, welcome remarks by Ms. Wikramanayake, followed by the panel discussion focused on the role CEO leadership plays in building diverse and socially inclusive workplaces.
For more information contact the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Source: Media Release
