Music leaders to explore issues faced by women in the industry
Clockwise from top left: Violet Roumeliotis, Rona Glynn-McDonald, Vicki Gordon and Annabelle Herd
A panel of high-powered female leaders will unpack the issues facing women in the creative sector.
The #SetTheStandard event will explore what change looks like, what actions need to be taken and how safer spaces can be created.
The virtual event will be hosted by the Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMAs) and Twitter Australia, with moderation by Yumi Stynes.
Organisers of the event said seismic changes had already happened in the Australian music industry this year, which have “created new opportunities for women to be given more power, or to take it”.
The event will feature AWMA founding executive producer Vicki Gordon, CEO of ARIA Annabelle Herd, CEO of Settlement Services International Violet Roumeliotis AM, and the founder and CEO of Common Ground Rona Glynn-McDonald.
Gordon said calling out inequality with words and aspirations was no longer enough.
“All of us in privileged positions of power need to lead with action and conviction if we are serious about creating ‘real’ change,” she said.
“This panel will not only unpack issues confronting women in leadership roles and the opportunity to build a more cohesive and inclusive society, we will discuss how women can build a more supportive and successful future together.”
ARIA’s Annabelle Herd lambasted the pace of change thus far, and noted more concrete steps needed to be taken.
“All the evidence shows that companies and organisations that embrace gender equality and have diverse leadership teams make better decisions and achieve greater success,” she said. “Despite that, progress for women in leadership roles is still glacial. That pace will not change until we establish ambitious targets backed by concrete steps to get us there.”
Glynn-McDonald, meanwhile, noted the strength of First Nations’ thinking when it comes to women taking charge.
“I come from a family of matriarchs who have kept family, community and culture strong,” she said. “To centre women in leadership is at the heart of many First Nations ways of thinking, being and knowing. I am privileged to have been raised by strong black women who continue to guide me on my journey.”
Roumeliotis added: “Kindness and compassion can go hand-in-hand with business acumen and a strong bottom line. Your actions have a ripple effect, and you can create real change just by incorporating your values in your daily work life.”
Twitter Australia launched #SetTheStandard in 2017, a new initiative focused on female leadership and promoting positive role models on the platform.
Director of public policy, government and philanthropy at Twitter ANZ, Kara Hinesley, said women could create a fairer future in a rapidly evolving world.
“To drive change, we must ensure women’s voices are heard, and Twitter is proud to continue our longstanding partnership with the Australian Women in Music Awards to host these important public conversations about leadership, gender equality, and speaking truth to power.”
#SetTheStandard will take place at 5:30pm (AEDT) on Wednesday, October 6.
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