2020 in review for the Diversity Practitioners Association

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None of us quite could have imagined what 2020 would bring when we elected the Diversity Practitioners Association committee in December last year. In my 2020 Presidents report, I’m reflecting on the year that was for the DPA.
- Andrea

2020 DPA Presidents Report

I’m proud to report that despite the challenges 2020 brought us, the Diversity Practitioners Association pivoted to online delivery and held six events in the 2020 calendar year:

  • A members’ roundtable on the changing role of practitioners in the context of Covid

  • A members’ roundtable event on sustaining flexible work in the return to the office 

  • A masterclass event with Dr Carolina Bouten-Pinto on her doctoral thesis: Using sensemaking to help with identifying, analysing, and developing effective strategies for inclusion 

  • A conversation with Julie McKay, Chief Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Officer at PwC, on the Future of D&I in a Post-Covid World 

  • A panel event with Femeconomy Directors Jade Collins and Alanna Bastin-Byrne and Dave Andrews from Microsoft on achieving gender equality through procurement 

  • A members’ roundtable for networking and reflecting on our members’ work in 2020

Despite the change in format, interest remained strong with these events collectively attracting more than 250 registrations and the ongoing strong interest in local practitioners to engage in leading edge D&I thinking. 

In an effort to ensure the ongoing value to members and changing economic circumstances, the DPA extended all memberships by three months, effectively adding an additional 25% of time to the membership ‘year’. DPA members have continued to enjoy fortnightly instalments of ‘Top 5’ diversity and inclusion related news items and access to the DPA’s online resource hub with research and case studies. 

Special Thanks 

Thanks goes to my fellow committee members who embraced their roles with passion and determination in 2020: Malcolm Barter, Emma Elder, Ruth Harrison, Bilge Ozgun and Sally Queitzsch. Our volunteer committee devotes time, expertise and passion in pursuit of DPA’s mission: to support individuals, organisations and practitioners actively seeking to build and sustain diverse and inclusive organisations. 

A special acknowledgment of Sally Queitzsch, our outgoing VP Marketing and Social Media, whose passion, thoughtful insights and deep knowledge have contributed greatly to the DPA Management Committee. Sally is a founding committee member of DPA and is concluding her second (and we hope not last!) term in the management committee. 

Thank you to our 2019 corporate sponsors/members: Cardno, Brisbane City Council, Anglo American, Kingston Human Capital and Australia’s CEO Challenge. The support of our sponsors enables the DPA to continue to operate and expand the reach of the expertise and network of Brisbane’s D&I change makers. 

Lastly and most of all: thanks to the Diversity Practitioners Association members who have supported their association in a more challenging year than expected, by continuing to recognise the strength that comes from our connection and support of one another. Our work and advocacy remains more critical than ever as the organisations we work with navigate recession and look for ways to ensure their very best performance.

The 2021 DPA Management Committee 

I’m excited share the 2021 DPA Management Committee will be again be packed with passionate members in the following roles: 

 

  • President - Andrea Smith

  • Secretary - Liz Hansen

  • Treasurer - Ruth Harrison

  • Vice President Memberships - Emma Elder

  • Vice President Sponsorships - Malcolm Barter

  • Vice President Events - Katie O’Connell 

  • Vice President Social Media & Marketing - Simone McLaughlin

  • Vice President Content – Bilge Ozgun

I’m very much looking forward to working alongside this group in 2021. 

While the DPA hopes to return to a level of ‘normal’ programming in 2021 with face to face events, trust that whatever the year throws at us, we’ll remain committed to supporting and connecting practitioners and change makers.  

Andrea Smith
DPA President