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New round of scholarships launched for leaders with disability

Menchie Khairuddin January 24, 2023

2 min read

The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) in partnership with the Australian Network on Disability is pleased to launch the 2023 Disability Leadership Scholarship program.

Applications are invited from across the country for this exciting opportunity to participate in the AICD’s national governance education program, with 100 full-fee scholarships on offer to people living with a disability.

Candidates must be over 18 and leaders living with a disability. First Nations people, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and women are encouraged to apply.

“We have been thrilled by the calibre of participants who applied for the first year of the Disability Leadership Program and are excited to offer this program to another 100 leaders with a disability,” said Corene Strauss, Australian Network on Disability CEO.

The successful candidates will have the chance to boost their leadership and senior executive skills, by undertaking one of three leading directorship courses provided by the AICD: either the Company Directors Course, Foundations of Directorship or Governance Foundations for Not-for-Profit Directors.

The 2023 program follows the successful first round of scholarships awarded to 100 talented recipients in 2022.

“The opportunity to do the Company Directors Course is going to deepen my understanding of being a director in areas that I don’t have as much experience in or knowledge of,” said Tori Haar, Learning Manager & Non-Executive Director of Aspect and Disability Leadership Program scholarship recipient 2022.

Designed to maximise board career opportunities, the program offers participants the chance to work with current Australian directors to build disability confidence through Leader-to-Leader conversations. This mutual exchange also helps build greater awareness of the lived experience for people with disability in the workplace and boardroom.

Disability Leadership Program scholarship recipient 2022, Wiradjuri man Cody Jones highlighted that he aims to use this scholarship to support himself to enhance his leadership skills which, in turn, will support his community.

The scholarships include an annual AICD membership and Directorship Opportunities subscription.

“We are committed to continuing this important program and to assisting leaders with disability participate more fully around the board tables of the country. The AICD looks forward to continuing our partnership with Australian Network on Disability to provide this great experience for the next intake of participants,” said Mark Rigotti, AICD Managing Director and CEO.

The Disability Leadership Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to creating greater opportunities for meaningful employment for people living with a disability.

“The AICD and Australian Network on Disability is proud to have delivered a very successful first round of scholarships and together we look forward to seeing the Disability Leadership Program continue to develop and make a further contribution to building greater disability awareness and presence in Australian boards,” added Strauss.

Menchie Khairuddin

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Menchie Khairuddin is a writer Deputy Content Manager at Akolade and content producer for Third Sector News. She is passionate about social affairs specifically in mixed, multicultural heritage and not-for-profit organisations.