Phelps awarded for excellence in women’s leadership
13 March 2020
Congratulations to Professor Kerryn Phelps AM, NICM Health Research Institute Adjunct Professor and Advisory Board Member, named this week as recipient of the NSW Award for Excellence in Women’s Leadership 2020 in recognition of her inspiring achievements and tremendous work.
Organised by Women and Leadership Australia (WLA),(opens in a new window) the Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership (opens in a new window) recognise the contribution of women at a National and State/Territory level to the advancement of gender equality across Australia. The awards recognise individual women that have, through their actions, improved the likelihood of other women within their field of endeavour having greater access to leadership equality. Created in 2014 and nominated by members of the WLA community, the underlying purpose of the awards is to increase visibility and momentum for the push for Australian women to receive equitable access to leadership positions across all industries and the broader community.
In an interview published by CEO Magazine,(opens in a new window) Professor Phelps said she was extremely honoured to accept the award, and that there was still a long way to go to achieve gender parity in leadership positions.
“These awards are a signal that women’s leadership is worth recognising but they also show us that we have a long way to go, because we are still struggling to achieve gender parity in leadership positions,” said Professor Phelps in the CEO Magazine interview.
“Using your leadership position to achieve progress for other women – it’s one of the most important things women in leadership can do. You can leverage your profile to show the way, to identify and mentor younger women with leadership potential, and to promote talented women into positions where their potential will be recognised.
“Recognising women in leadership demonstrates to other women the paths they themselves might take to leadership. It shows women the what, why and how of aspiring to leadership,” she said.
Professor Phelps earlier this week also presented as a keynote speaker at NICM HRI’s Influential Women in Natural Therapies: A Legacy for the Future, where attendees listened to Professor Phelps’ candid insights and experiences examining the history of integrative medicine in Australia and the impact of politics on clinical practice, research, funding and patient experience.
