Disability in Leadership. Because Representation Matters

The 2023 Board Diversity Index from Watermark Search International and the Governance Institute of Australia states that people with disability remain almost entirely unrepresented on boards in Australia. Inclusion, diversity and equity cannot be met if people with disability are not part of decision making across government and business.

For the 4.4 million Australians with disability, representing 17.7% of the population, representation matters in society and in the workplace. Lived-experience of disability needs to be represented at all levels of the workplace, including leadership, demonstrating a commitment to accessibility and inclusion.

Now in its third and final year, the Australian Disability Network partnered with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) to increase the representation of people with disability in executive and board leadership positions by offering a series of formal governance training and mentoring programs. The goal is to create a pipeline of qualified leaders with disability to increase diversity, representation and performance on Australian boards.

As a library leader with disability and recipient of a 2024 Directing Change Scholarship, Amy will share her experience of undertaking the AICD Company Directors Course and mentoring relationship with an experienced Non Executive Director of an ASX 200 company, and how she is applying this to the library and information industry.

Author Bio

Amy Walduck is a library practitioner and Non Executive Director (NED) of the Australian Library and Information Association. As a NED with disability, she was awarded a 2024 Directing Change Scholarship by the Australian Disability Network and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. With a passion for diverse and inclusive leadership, primarily across state and public library sectors, Amy prides herself on being a people focused library and information professional and industry leader who excels at bringing together passionate people and creating environments that are conducive to solving complex problems and driving user focused outcomes. A former professional musician and music educator, Amy brings creative flair to both her personal and professional lives.