The Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) has launched a special interest group to champion leadership, diversity, and empowerment within the PR and communications sector.
Global Women in PR (GWPR) Australia aims to establish a platform and community for women in the sector and aims to create an environment where more women can assume leadership positions and work towards closing the gender pay gap.
The launch, which marks a significant development for the public relations industry, aims to address the underrepresentation of women in senior PR roles.
The launch is spearheaded by a committee of renowned industry leaders, including Amber Scotto (Edelman), Angela Scrymgour (ABC), Carden Calder (BlueChip Communication), Dena Vassallo (SOCIETY), EJ Granleese (History Will Be Kind), Elizabeth Greene (Microsoft), Elly Hewitt (alt/shift), Jasmine Mobarek (HP), Joanne Painter (Icon Agency), Karina Durham (Palin Communications), Leilani Abels (Thrive PR), Mandy Galmes (Sefiani), Mel Deacon (Elevate Communication), Nicole Phillips (Havas Red), Pam Klioufis (BCW), Sarah Littlefair (Zeno Group), Sarah Macartney (Domain Group), Simone Gupta (Supermassive), Skye Lambley (Herd MSL), and Unjela Kaleem (Miyamoto International).
The founding group will be lead by committee chair Helen Graney, the chief executive of Weber Shandwick and Jack Morton.
Graney said, “The phenomenal experience and talent of our committee members signals the serious commitment of senior women in the PR and Communications industry to tackle systemic issues, shift attitudes, and drive much-needed change.”
PRIA chief executive officer, Louise Harland-Cox, said, “The momentum and passion behind this initiative has been tremendous and I’m thankful to have a powerhouse group of women committed to driving change in the industry.”
Michelle Hutton, global chief client and growth officer at BCW Global, will chair an advisory group to support the committee.
The group’s held a launch breakfast in October during the PRIA National Conference, where Hutton presented insights from the 5th Annual GWPR Global Index Survey, before joining a panel discussion to discuss its impact on the Australian PR landscape alongside Helen Graney, Kylea Tink MP, and Sunita Gloster.
–
Top Image: Michelle Hutton, Kylea Tink MP, Sunita Gloster & Helen Graney.