Australian LGBTQ+ Board & Executive Inclusion (ALBEI)

The Australian LGBTQ+ Board & Executive Inclusion (ALBEI) launched in Melbourne last night on the eve of a meeting of the ASX Corporate Governance Council which is discussing relatively modest diversity proposals for ASX Listed boards. These proposals are the subject of significant push-back in light of developments in the USA. Diversity in all its forms is good for shareholder returns and good for business, thank you Jude Munro AO for launching us in Melbourne and reminding us that we cannot just rely on the goodwill of people but we need to make it happen. Thank you to Anne Murphy Cruise and Macquarie Group for being such generous hosts. Now more than ever we need unity of purpose and keep publicising and discussing the case for diversity and the robust research and data behind it. We are Australia’s national voice for LGBTQ+ board directors and executive leaders. We advocate for, support and drive LGBTQ+ inclusivity in the boards and leadership of Australian business. We embrace all forms of diversity and encourage and support LGBTQ+ Australians to become executive leaders and board members. In a few short years ALBEI has become a truly national organisation and we aim to ensure that talented people are considered beyond the current limited “club”. We have a wonderful group of directors, volunteers and supporters. Thank you to Andrew Staite Lesley Traverso Sanjay Alapakkam David Anthony Mark Baxter, BEc, FIAA, FGIA Dawn Emsen-Hough (GAICD) David Brine 🌈 Catherine Fox AM Tharani Jegatheeswaran David Evans Julie Chai Nareen Young Michele Adair Tom Roets On the ASX300 we have over 90% of directors who are anglo-celtic (with only 54% of the population); 1% LGBTQ+ Directors (with 5% to 8% of the population), no-one self disclosing any disabilities and only 4 First Nations people. The numbers speak for themselves, talented people are being overlooked. The changes being proposed to ASX governance standards DO NOT require the disclosure of director’s attributes which sections of the press have been claiming. Thank you to everyone who have helped us on this journey - in the tough times we appreciate your support and help. Thank you to everyone who attended last night. Fabrice C Houdart Jane Griffith Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors LGBTQ Corporate Directors Canada Asian Australian Lawyers Association ASFA | The Voice of Super Out Leadership Todd Sears

I recently had a proposed op-ed rejected by The Australian Financial Review given that I seemingly had no "proof" or statistical evidence that many directors came from the same background. In a somewhat tongue in cheek way I said - "Why swap someone who went to Cranbrook with someone who went to Ascham?" I am relieved that the Chair of Qantas, John Mullen referred to the need for different backgrounds and values in his keynote speech to the Australian Institute of Company Directors conference yesterday. It was a bit disarming to be told by the opinions editor "unless you actually have some facts its probably a no go" - I wonder if he will say the same thing to yesterday's keynote speaker at the AICD conference? I have reproduced my "colourful" op-ed below - the tone reflects a sense of frustration with the false narrative of the The Australian Financial Review during the "debate" about the ASX Corporate Governance principles. I must confess, I did submit it expecting it to be rejected as my tone is quite strong - but it did represent a factual counterpoint to most of the articles published on this subject. The draft proposed principals did not require that directors or potential directors disclose personal information - which kept getting repeated in each article on this subject in spite of corrections being provided to various journalists. So being told that my op-ed was not factual while the AFR was publishing incorrect information in pursuit of a goal was really beyond the pale. “These days, the old girls club is just as active as the old boys club and so many ASX directors come from the same background, irrespective of whether they are male or female,” John Mullen said. “To me, diversity means somebody coming from a totally different background with different values, different experiences and different beliefs.” https://lnkd.in/g7yzuT9Z Catherine Fox AM Australian LGBTQ+ Board & Executive Inclusion (ALBEI) Tharani Jegatheeswaran Michele Adair Lesley Traverso Sanjay Alapakkam Andrew Staite David Anthony Dawn Emsen-Hough (GAICD) Chris Keely Patrick Durkin Sally Patten Margot Saville Jeremy Sammut Jane Griffith, ICD.D Fabrice C Houdart Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors LGBTQ Corporate Directors Canada

In the first of many occaisional research pieces, Lesley Traverso one of our Directors, reflects on the recent release by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) of the population estimates of the LGBTQ+ community. In particular, why do 10% of 16 to 25 year olds identify as LGBTQ+ while only 2% of 55 to 64 year olds do? Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors LGBTQ Corporate Directors Canada Fabrice C Houdart Jane Griffith Catherine Fox AM Michele Adair https://lnkd.in/gD6jBtvt

So much has been happening since we wrote this January Newsletter, with the new leader of the USA attacking diversity initiatives and many companies withdrawing their commitment to these initiatives. A number in the media in Australia are trying to transfer this debate to our shores and we will keep you posted on developments. In the newsletter we talk about the media pushback, particularly in The Australian Financial Review, to the appointment of an incredibly well qualified "foreigner" to lead a major Australian Bank. This now seems like an entree to the main course of the attack on the proposed ASX Corporate Governance standards which propose minor changes to board diversity governance. An old chinese curse is "may you live in interesting times" - it looks like that is now. The data on business case for diversity is irrefutable, however, we worry that many commentators are relying on "the vibe" rather than logical thinking. We seem to be living in a post truth, post science world. Watch out for ALBEI developments we have been taking a bit of a rest in order to be recharged for what will be "interesting times". Catherine Fox AM Tharani Jegatheeswaran Mark Baxter, BEc, FIAA, FGIA Lesley Traverso Andrew Staite Fabrice C Houdart Asian Australian Lawyers Association Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors LGBTQ Corporate Directors Canada Jane Griffith Michele Adair

Today, our CEO, Dominic Arnall, took the stage at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting to champion the business case for LGBTQ+ inclusion. First, a panel co-hosted with GLAAD, Deutsche Bank and Accenture explored how LGBTQ+ inclusion drives both innovation and success. Huge thanks to Sarah Kate Ellis, Karen Parkhill, Marco Ziegler and Andrea Calise for your valuable insights on this much needed conversation. Following this, the Equity Beyond Identity panel shared powerful insights on how businesses can thrive when DEI is prioritised. With inspiring contributions from Dominic, Angela F. Williams, JD, M.Div Robert C. Garrett and Stefanie Stantcheva and expertly chaired by Adam Kahane, the session highlighted the transformative impact of actionable DEI strategies. And this evening, we attended Accenture’s Light Up the Promenade event where we showcased our new City Ratings dashboard, created by Accenture, ahead of the 2025 data release this year. Thank you to Marco Ziegler, Beck Bailey and Javier Leonor-Vicente at Accenture for collaborating with us, we look forward to sharing the report more widely soon! LGBTQ+ inclusion is key to building thriving, resilient communities. We’re proud to stand alongside such fantastic leaders this week, championing the vital role of LGBTQ+ inclusion in driving progress for businesses and economies. We’ll keep these conversations front and centre. #WEF25 #LBGTInclusion #LGBTQ #DEI

It was bound to happen after Trump became POTUS. The backlash against diversity in Australia - we are a different country not the 51st State of the USA. With the spending power of the global LGBTQ+ community being $4.7 trillion dollars (only the US and China are larger) we need to mobilise and ensure that we are represented and remain resilient. (Open for Business) Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors LGBTQ Corporate Directors Canada

Congratulations Geffrye Parsons on joining the board of LGBTQ Corporate Directors Canada, I am sure we can all move the dial on LGBTQ+ representation in boardrooms around the globe.

A response to the repeal of the Nasdaq board diversity rules by Fabrice C Houdart of the Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors. https://lnkd.in/ehXjQJid

A step backwards for diversity in the USA. LGBTQ Corporate Directors Canada Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors

All the hard yards have been done collaborating, debating and discussing - we can now only wait and hope that the hard work has been worthwhile. Australia has a chance to move forward on board diversity. Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors LGBTQ Corporate Directors Canada Rufus Gifford Brian Sims Robbie Robertson Pip Dexter Megan Motto 😊 Louise Petschler Naomi Edwards Todd Sears Out Leadership Dame Inga Beale John Browne Tosin James-Odukoya Penny Cole Penny James Aurore Lecanon Tom Snow