2022 in review for the Diversity Practitioners Association

Even though we still have one more event to close out the year, I’m pleased to offer a copy of the President’s report for 2022 as below. I have enjoyed my first year as President of the DPA with a wonderful Committee and passionate members, even though I feel it has passed by very quickly! -Emma

The Diversity Practitioners Association held eight events in 2022:

·       We held three member networking “coffee catch ups” in March, May and August

·       Our member only Roundtable in March we discussed Successful D&I Events

·       In April with spoke with Dr Katie Spearitt and Josh Griffin about Contemporary D&I Strategies

·       We held an In Conversation event with Australian Paralympic Gold Medallist, Katie Kelly OAM

·       In September we held a half-day, practical, skill-building workshop with Dr Michael Flood and Kristy MacFarlane

·       In December we will hold our final event for 2022, Authentic Engagement with First Nations peoples and communities with Adjunct Professor Sandra Creamer AM and Neville Hoehne.

These events have collectively attracted more than 200 registrations, including interstate practitioners who regularly attend our online events and even some who made it to our workshop in September. Outside of these events, DPA members have continued to enjoy our ‘Top 5’ diversity and inclusion related news and access to the DPA’s online resource hub with research and case studies.

We continue to juggle the relative accessibility of online events with the much-desired face to face interaction with fellow practitioners, with the added complexity of a more open approach by most organisations to support flexible working, and many people choosing to work outside of the CBD. We look forward to seeing more opportunities for networking and information sharing in 2023.

Special Thank You…

Thanks goes to my fellow 2022 management committee members who passionately contribute to the success of the DPA: Andrea Smith, Ruth Harrison, Malcolm Barter, Bilge Ozgün, Simone McLaughlin, Liz Hansen, Sally Günsberg and Katie O’Connell. 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.

Special mention to Malcolm Barter, Liz Hansen, Simone O’Loughlin and Katie O’Connell who take a step back from the DPA committee for 2023, I wholeheartedly thank you for everything you have contributed thus far, we look forward to having you continue as passionate DPA members.

Thank you to our 2022 corporate supporters and sponsors: Brisbane City Council, Kingston Human Capital, Anglo American and Urban Utilities. The support of our sponsors enables the DPA to continue to deliver for our members and increases the visibility of the work we do amongst a broader network of D&I advocates.

Lastly and most of all: thanks to all of the Diversity Practitioners Association members whose knowledge, passion and drive sustains our community and is helping to change our world. I want to acknowledge the resilience and courage this role can take, and remind you that the DPA network are all here to support each other to achieve progress.

The 2023 DPA Management Committee

I’m pleased to announce the 2023 DPA Management Committee with some continuing members and some fresh faces:

·       President – Emma Elder

·       Secretary – Andrea Smith

·       Treasurer – Ruth Harrison

·       VP Memberships – Sally Günsberg

·       VP Sponsorships – Lydiah Njagi

·       VP Social Media – Natasha Caflisch

·       VP Events – Bilge Ozgün

·       VP Communications – Marc Bradley

I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together in 2023.

As members, we all contribute to the success of the association - I encourage you all to continue to seek opportunities to be involved so together we can strengthen DPAs value, and develop ourselves personally and professionally.

Emma Elder
President