Women’s Leadership Institute Australia Inc

About Women’s Leadership Institute Australia – Advancing Women’s Leadership in Melbourne

Women’s Leadership Institute Australia is a not-for-profit organisation based in Melbourne, Victoria, dedicated to growing the critical mass of diverse women leaders across Australia. Founded by Carol Schwartz AO, a prominent advocate for gender equality with extensive board experience including the Reserve Bank of Australia, the institute believes shared power and decision-making between men and women leads to better outcomes for all Australians. Established in 2010 and registered with the ACNC, it targets women aspiring to or holding leadership roles in key sectors, empowering them through targeted initiatives.

Programs and Services

The institute operates through four pivotal levers for change: politics, policy & advocacy, capital, and media. It delivers high-impact investments, strategic partnerships, and groundbreaking research to propel gender equality. Key programs include the Pathways to Politics Program for Women, Panel Pledge, and Women for Media database, catalysing practical solutions for increased female representation.

Our Fellows and Expertise

WLIA supports accomplished WLIA Fellows – experts like Professor Cordelia Fine, Dr Elise Stephenson, and Dr Ramona Vijeyarasa – who lead in research, advocacy, and policymaking. These leaders, drawn from universities such as the University of Melbourne and La Trobe, drive innovative approaches to gender equity, with affiliations to bodies like the Harvard Kennedy School’s Women’s Leadership Board and Australian Research Council grants.

Leadership and Partnerships

Led by Chair Carol Schwartz AO, recognised with an Officer of the Order of Australia (2019) and Philanthropy Australia’s Leading Philanthropist Award (2020), the board features experts like Vice President Amanda Gome AM and members from Our Community and Trawalla Foundation. Partnerships with founding entities of Pathways to Politics enhance national reach.

Get Involved

• Explore resources, tools, and news on women’s leadership via the website.
• Follow updates on gender equity initiatives.
• Engage with Fellows’ thought leadership and events.