The Brand Agency and Cannings Purple partner for International Women’s Day online panel discussion on Breaking the Bias
Over 200 staff across Australia and New Zealand came together virtually today in recognition of International Women’s Day and this years’ theme #BreakTheBias.
The global annual event not only celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, but marks a call to action in breaking biases around the world.
Facilitated by Karen Brown (Non-Executive Chair, Cannings Purple), the special guest panel included Haylee Felton (General Manager – Brand and Marketing, RAC), Jo Monery (Director, Cannings Purple) and Hannah Muirhead (Head of Brand Strategy, The Brand Agency Perth). Many impactful topics were covered throughout the event including gender parity, imposter syndrome, taking career risks as well as a discussion on what breaking the bias means to them.
Felton (pictured right) said: “IWD gives us an opportunity to acknowledge so many inspiring women throughout history that have stood up for change, and also those closer to our own personal journeys whose hard work and determination have paved the way for us and lifted us up when it was needed. As a mother of two daughters, I want them to know a world that respects all that they are and want to be, without bias.”
Monery (pictured middle) said: “Despite years of action, we still don’t have gender equality in the workplace, strong female representation in the boardroom or Government, or equal sharing of unpaid work in the home. With increasingly busy lives, taking a day to pause, reflect, and talk about strategies to help break bias is integral to improving the lives of women.”
Muirhead (pictured left) says: “We’ve come a long way since the days when it was illegal for married women to work in the public service, but bias is more insidious these days, and harder to spot. The more conversations we have about what bias looks like the more likely we are to achieve true diversity. We know diversity leads to creativity, innovation and growth: important in most industries, critical in ours.”