For a second year, the Australian Network on Disability and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) is offering scholarships that will support leaders with disability to increase their governance knowledge and access to board positions. 

1 in 5 people in Australia have a disability, however, this number is far from represented at executive and board level positions.

To help increase governance knowledge 15 full-fee scholarships are on offer to undertake either the Foundations of Directorship program or the Company Directors Course at AICD.  Plus, 8 months of mentoring with an Australian business leader to help recipients maximise their board career opportunities.

On the launch of the first round of the scholarships earlier this year Corene Strauss CEO of Australian Network on Disability noted, “

There is a talented cohort of people who are, often unintentionally, overlooked due to physical and systematic barriers.  Our role is to help businesses identify and eliminate these barriers to provide equity across all levels of business. 

Executive and Board representation and leadership is beneficial to all Australians and really signals the value that is provided by true diversity and inclusion.

First round of scholarship recipients complete their studies

The first cohort of 22 leaders with disability recently completed the inaugural Directing Change Scholarship program, equipping them to take on senior executive and board leadership roles.

Launched in April, the Directing Change Scholarship originally sought 15 senior leaders with disability however due to the overwhelming response, the program was extended to include 22 executives.

Fifi Rashando, Impact Investment Manager at Good Return, also serves as Executive Committee Member of Australian Disability and Development Consortium and Non-Executive Director of the Leprosy Mission Australia. Fifi was a recipient of the Directing Change Scholarship in 2022, and was matched with a mentor, Reserve Bank of Australia’s Chief Financial Officer Emma Costello. “One of the huge benefits of the program was that it provided the opportunity and privilege to be mentored by a highly experienced, female mentor who had such great knowledge at the executive level,” Fifi said.

Fifi applied for the scholarship to sharpen her governance and leadership skills and was thrilled to learn that her mentor was Reserve Bank of Australia’s Chief Financial Officer Emma Costello. Read more on the experience at this article.

“One of the huge benefits of the program was that it provided the opportunity and privilege to be mentored by a highly experienced, female mentor who had such great knowledge at the executive level.”

Fifi Rashando, Impact Investment Manager at Good Return, also serves as Executive Committee Member of Australian Disability and Development Consortium and Non-Executive Director of the Leprosy Mission Australia.

Leadership sessions and mentoring

The scholarships allow recipients to complete the AICD’s Foundations of Directorship program or the Company Directors Course at AICD between April 2023 – August 2023.  There is also 8 months of mentoring with an Australian business leader to help recipients maximise their board career opportunities.

Mentoring topics may vary depending on people’s career stage and interests but may include: guidance on where to find board roles, how to apply for board roles, building professional connections, and general governance insight. 

To support learnings throughout the program, successful applicants will be invited to various leadership workshops. Including sessions on:

  • Building confidence and comfort in developing your individual brand and sharing your story 
  • Practical session on tips and tools for applying for board roles 
  • Networking with industry leaders to expand your professional connections 

Information sessions

Australian Network on Disability will run information sessions to hear further details of what the scholarship provides, the applications and selection process and how you will be supported throughout. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions of the team running the program.

Information sessions run on:

  • Wednesday November 2, 2022 AEDT from 2.30pm – 3.30pm
  • Tuesday November 8, 2022 AEDT from 3.30pm – 4.30pm

The Round 2 of the scholarships are now open and close on 30 November 2022. Read full details of the Directing Change Scholarship 2023 here.