Elizabeth Broderick AO

Elizabeth Broderick AO has brought together captains of industry, sport, governments and Defence Force chiefs to address gender inequality in Australia and beyond.

As Australia’s longest serving Sex Discrimination Commissioner (2007-2015), Elizabeth worked tirelessly to break down structural and social barriers faced by women and men, and to promote gender equality.

Her review into the treatment of women in the Australian Defence Force led to sweeping cultural reforms.

In 2010, as Sex Discrimination Commissioner, she established the globally recognised ‘Champions of Change Coalition’ (formerly known as Male Champions of Change), enlisting a ‘who’s who’ of powerful male leaders to tackle workplace gender inequality. She is a powerful and influential voice in the quest for gender equality, enlisting both women and men as agents of change.

In 2017, Elizabeth was appointed by the United Nations in Geneva as a Special Rapporteur and Independent Expert and served as the Chair-Rapporteur of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls.

In 2016, Elizabeth was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia and was named 2016 NSW Australian of the Year.

She is an Adjunct Professor at The University of Sydney, an Honorary Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, holds Honorary Doctorates of Law from the University of Sydney, University of New South Wales and the University of Technology and Honorary Doctorates from Deakin, Edith Cowan and Griffith Universities.

Elizabeth is a member of the Advisory Council of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, a member of the Council of the Order of Australia and a Senior Adviser to McKinsey.

Women are not starting from a level playing field. Unless we intentionally put gender at the centre of our actions, we will sleepwalk into a future where existing inequalities are either replicated, or worse, exacerbated.

Elizabeth Broderick AO, Founder and Convenor, Champions of Change Coalition