Message from the new CEO

Dear subscribers and friends of SAGE,

I’d like to firstly express my gratitude for the warm welcome I’ve received from the SAGE community since stepping into the role of CEO. I’m truly honoured to lead SAGE in the next phase of its growth journey.

Building on my work at WGEA, I look forward to continuing to leverage an evidence-based approach to drive systemic change for gender equity, diversity and inclusion. Wafa has made a significant contribution and impact on SAGE within her six years as CEO, and I endeavour to build on her incredible legacy.

I am excited about the collaboration opportunities the new year presents for SAGE, starting with taking forward actions from the November Heads of Institutions Forum. We also look forward to receiving the sector’s feedback on the draft Athena Swan Silver Award application form. Consultation is open until 7 April 2023, and we invite subscribers to help us shape the next step of their accreditation journey.

We will also take part in the Government’s review of its existing STEM diversity programs. This is a chance to highlight how the SAGE approach reduces barriers to participation for underrepresented and marginalised groups, and we encourage the SAGE community to get involved in the consultation process.

As 2022 draws to a close, SAGE welcomes the recent passing of the Respect@Work bill, which puts the onus on Australian workplaces to prevent sexual harassment from occurring. We commend the work of Commissioner Jenkins and the report contributors that led to reforms which will further encourage uptake of proactive, systems-change approaches like SAGE, so that everyone can feel safe and respected at work.

On behalf of the SAGE team and the Board, I hope you enjoy a safe and happy holiday season. I’m looking forward to working with SAGE subscribers and collaborators in the new year.

Regards,
Dr Janin Bredehoeft

Farewell from the departing CEO

My final year as CEO has been an extremely busy and rewarding one. I couldn’t be prouder of what the team and community has accomplished in 2022.

Our key milestones and activities include delivering the Diversity Interventions 2022 SAGE conference and the Intersectionality Series, a program designed to build subscribers’ capacity to take an intersectional approach to gender equity, diversity and inclusion work.

It was fantastic to host the reviewer training for the Cygnet Awards, and to award Edith Cowan University and Geoscience Australia with the first two Cygnet Awards.

We also commenced the pilot of the Workload Allocation Principles Matrix, and strengthened engagement with higher education and research leaders through two Heads of Institutions Fora.

Feedback from this year’s SAGE Heads of Institutions consultations showed the value our community sees in SAGE as a driver of change, and reiterated their commitment to the program.

SAGE subscribers have invested so much in this journey, with many well on their way to achieving a Silver Award. I urge them to stay the course on this national priority and I look forward to following their progress in future.

It was an honour to work with the subscribers and friends of SAGE for the last six years, and I will miss our community’s collaborative spirit and collective commitment to our shared cause.

Dr Bredehoeft will be an incredible asset to SAGE – her advocacy, leadership and achievements at WGEA position her well to grow SAGE’s impact and continue our work in driving systemic change for gender equity, diversity and inclusion.

I wish you a safe and enjoyable summer and the very best for 2023.

Regards,
Dr Wafa El-Adhami