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As International Women’s Day approaches, conversations around gender balance and inclusion feel more relevant than ever. Recently, we were invited to join the Purpose Coalition to discuss how organisations such as ours strengthen representation in the workplace - and the crucial role leaders play in shaping more inclusive industries.
During the conversation, Curtins Board Directors Rhiannon Carss and Andy Roberts shared how our approach to leadership, culture, and visibility supports opportunities for everyone.
Here are some of the highlights from The Purpose Coalition's article:
“We recognise that improving gender balance, particularly at senior technical level, is not something that happens by accident, It requires sustained leadership focus, honest conversations and measurable commitments. For us, this is about building better teams that deliver better outcomes for clients. It is about long-term business performance." Says Andy.
Representation: More Than a Metric
When companies talk about improving gender balance, the focus often lands on policies, targets, and progression frameworks. These are essential, but they’re only part of the story. Representation is deeply human. It’s about who is seen, who is heard, and who feels they belong.
Visibility matters - whether it’s who leads a project, who presents to clients, or who sits at decision‑making tables. These moments of presence build confidence, invite participation, and shape culture in subtle but powerful ways.
This is why representation isn’t just important - it’s transformational.
Leadership Must Be Intentional
Our Board Director, Andy Roberts highlighted that progress doesn’t happen by chance, especially in fields where senior technical roles are historically male‑dominated.
Culture Is Built Through Daily Decisions
While policies create the structure for change, everyday behaviours create the culture where representation can thrive. Board Director for Communications, Culture and Engagement at Curtins, Rhiannon Carss explained that what leaders do each day deeply influences who feels included and who feels overlooked.
“Policies matter, but everyday behaviours matter too. Representation is shaped by who gets invited into rooms, who is visible on projects, who is put forward for promotion and who is listened to. If we are serious about progress, we must look at those daily decisions.”
Looking Ahead to International Women’s Day
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it’s a moment to recognise the strides made while acknowledging the work still ahead. Meaningful change isn’t achieved through one initiative or one policy - it’s achieved through consistent, thoughtful decisions from leaders at every level.
Representation matters because it shapes how people see themselves, their potential, and their future. And when organisations commit to improving it, everyone benefits.
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