Multicultural Women on Boards Networking Opportunity!

Brisbane, September 27 (MCCQ Newsdesk, by Amrita Deshpande)

It was a long day for many community leaders on 18th of September, starting with the breakfast meeting with Women on Boards forum and networking with those strong women who paved their way on boards of various organisations. The speakers at the panel discussion of the Unity in Diversity forum, moderated by Seema Chauhan were absolutely awesome.

Dr. Melissa Naidoo, Ms. Christine Mudavanahu and Ms.Dilshani Weerasinge gave an insightful review of their journeys on various boards they navigated their way through.

“As Multicultural Women, we face many challenges when we rise up to be at a level where our questioning makes a difference in the societal issues.” Christine Mudavanahu said this when narrating her journey.

Dr. Melissa Naidoo has paved her way in the health sector, convincing other members of the board to consider the multicultural women voice where as Christine coming from a digital technology background has had to push away not only the cultural biases as a women but also has had to deal with other women to get the respect, and credibility.

Dilshani Weerasinge after being on various boards settled down with the arts boards where challenges are many. However, she says that the role of a women director on board should be that of a guardian, a facilitator rather than a mentor.

Anna Hebron the host for the event who is the Women on Board Representative, Qld State Council Member, Governance Institute of Australia Founder, summarised the entire event, and gave the vote of thanks to attendees and the speakers.

Overall the panel and the networking was a great success in connecting with and learning the lived experiences of women on boards as well as connecting with women from different cultures and background who were present at the forum.

More such sessions need to happen to engage multicultural women which give the opportunity to learn from each other and stay connected.