Gender and leadership: Quotes from leaders across industries

AI is a critical skill for leaders – today and in the future

AI is emerging as a critical leadership capability, not just for navigating today’s complex business landscape, but for shaping inclusive and future-ready organizations.

David knott

David knott

"Business leaders must understand how tech works. It’s no longer safe to just rely on what vendors say or what a glossy demo shows. You don’t need to be a developer, but you do need a working understanding of the tech." – David Knott, Chief Technology Officer, UK Government

Anna Perrin

Anna Perrin

"I’ve seen firsthand how new technologies – especially AI – are reshaping the way we lead, collaborate, and solve problems. For women in leadership, this is a chance to challenge old structures, amplify diverse voices, and drive more inclusive decision-making by being at the forefront of change." – Anna Perrin, Chief Customer Officer, NBN

Diverse teams are key to success

Diversity is a strategic advantage. Bringing a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and problem-solving approaches leads to more innovative, inclusive, and resilient outcomes.

Xavier Chéreau

Xavier Chéreau

"We have many different types of customers, so it makes sense to draw on as many different viewpoints as possible from within the organization." – Xavier Chéreau, Chief Human Resources and Transformation Officer, Stellantis

Carrie Chiu

Carrie Chiu

"Building high-performing teams requires diversity in gender and culture, and it’s essential to bring male allies along to truly advance gender equity." – Carrie Chiu, General Manager Data & AI, NBN

Georgia Hack

Georgia Hack

"One of L’Oreal Groupe’s core growth principles is developing leaders without cloning them. It’s about recognizing the diversity within our team and focusing on building the unique strengths of each individual. This creates the best environment for collective success and drives growth." – Georgia Hack, Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, L'Oréal Groupe Australia & New Zealand

Women are equally equipped to lead

Women are equally equipped to lead – bringing the strategic insight, emotional intelligence, and adaptability needed to thrive in today’s world.

Alexandra Taylor

Alexandra Taylor

"Leadership style is highly individual and personality-driven. It’s often a product of the environment you’ve grown up in, not something based on gender. When men and women are in similar roles, they can be equally effective" – Alexandra Taylor, Chief People Officer, Bank of Queensland

Fiamma Morton

Fiamma Morton

"Modern leadership demands transparency, resilience, vision, and vulnerability –qualities women consistently bring to the fore." – Fiamma Morton, Chief Operating Officer – Consumer Westpac

Gender stereotypes in leadership limit authentic expression and career advancement

Gender stereotypes in leadership restrict authentic expression and limit career progression for women by imposing narrow expectations of how leaders should behave and suppressing diverse leadership styles.

Emily Mailes

Emily Mailes

"There’s been a strong socialization of leadership that’s gone down gender lines—so while it might seem natural, it’s really shaped by the world we live in. Earlier in my career I worked under senior female executives who felt they had to be very aggressive, always with their elbows out. That style was a product of their socialization. Personally, I want to lead with empathy, and I’ve learned it’s okay to do so, even though I didn’t see that modeled often." – Emily Mailes, Chief eHealth Strategy Officer, Victorian Department of Health

Chinal Jethwa

Chinal Jethwa

"When it comes to perceptions of skills and gender bias, I have observed that while there has been progress, there is still a lingering bias that underrates the capabilities of women leaders. This often manifests in subtle ways, such as assumptions about a woman's commitment to her career or her leadership style." – Chinal Jethwa, IT Sourcing and Strategy Manager, BNP Paribas Personal Finance

The role of mentorship and networking in advancing gender equity in leadership

Mentorship and networking are powerful enablers that help accelerate career growth and break down systemic barriers for women leaders, by providing them access to guidance, visibility, and opportunities.

Sam Bain

Sam Bain

"For women, having a strong mentor—regardless of gender—is key to navigating their professional journey. I believe, mentorship, networking, and a supportive peer community are essential pillars for women to thrive in leadership." – Sam Bain, Chief Customer and Transformation Officer, Mecca Brands

Louise Connelly

Louise Connelly

"Leadership today is about adaptability, empathy, and building supportive networks. As business demands accelerate, resilience has become increasingly vital, enabling leaders to adapt swiftly and effectively." – Louise Connelly, Chief Data and Analytics Officer, BNP Paribas Personal Finance

Systemic changes are needed to accelerate gender parity

Building and nurturing the talent pipeline, along with creating a supportive environment, plays a vital role in bridging the gender parity gap

Louisa Francis

Louisa Francis

"Organizations should focus on transparent advancement processes, proactive mentorship, and structured talent development to support gender parity." – Louisa Francis, Executive, Data & Analytics PB, NAB

Sidone Thomas

Sidone Thomas

"To truly accelerate gender parity and shift the dial, organizations must focus on developing talent early – from recruitment and onboarding to nurturing them with meaningful development opportunities and creating a supportive environment that enables women to thrive. Lasting change happens when senior leaders actively champion diversity." – Sidone Thomas, Chief Technology and Corporate Services Officer, St John of God Health Care

Jacqui Kernot

Jacqui Kernot

"We have spent years trying to ‘fix’ women with more training. But the real transformation happens when we fix the environment. When women are placed in supportive, empowering settings, they don’t just succeed – they thrive." – Jacqui Kernot, Vice President, Thales Cybersecurity Services

Advance and celebrate diverse role models

Diversity in leadership style is gaining greater acceptance, inspiring change and building confidence

Annabel Fribence

Annabel Fribence

"The more diverse the leadership styles, the more people realize –‘Wow, I can lead too. I don’t have to fit a specific mold to be successful.’ Throughout my career, I’ve often heard, ‘You’re not the typical mold, and yet you’ve succeeded,’ which has inspired others to embrace their own unique styles." – Annabel Fribence, Chief Marketing Officer, McDonald's Australia

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Gender and leadership: Navigating bias, opportunity, and change

Technical skills and inclusion are shaping the future of leadership

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