The Australian Retailers Association has partnered with Chief Executive Women (CEW) to offer a scholarship for an emerging woman in retail to study at the Harvard Business School in Boston, USA.
Nominations are now open to female retail executives looking to accelerate their professional development.
CEW chief executive Marie Festa said female leaders in the industry should seize this opportunity.
“Though women are underrepresented in senior leadership across the Australian retail sector, this is an industry that is known for embracing change and rapidly responding to its challenges,” Festa said.
“If you are a woman leader in the retail industry, I encourage you to apply for this scholarship today, use it to accelerate your own career and in turn, sponsor the next generation of emerging female talent.”
ARA CEO Paul Zahra said the scholarship is an important part of addressing inequality in the sector.
“Around 75% of discretionary spending power sits with women,” Zahra said. “Despite this, women only occupy 29% of board positions with Australian retailers and just 14% of our sector is led by female CEOs.”
“This is something the ARA is determined to help change.
“Solving gender inequality in leadership requires mentorship programs that empower women to ascend through the ranks and the ARA CEW Women Leaders in Retail aims to do that.”
Coles GM of non-food business unit Debra Galle was the 2023 scholarship winners, while Wesfarmers GM of finance Virginia Lead was the inaugural winner in 2022.
Selected from a competitive field of strong applicants, Galle has held leadership positions at Coles for the past four years.
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must hold a role in the retail sector that is no more than three levels down from CEO and their organisation must be an ARA member. They must also have five or more years general management experience, and receive endorsement from C-Suite, CEO Direct Report, CEO or Board.
Now in its third year, the ARA CEW Women Leaders in Retail Scholarship for 2024 was officially announced at the ARA’s International Women’s Day lunch in Melbourne. More details can be found on the ARA and CEW website.