Increasing Diversity in Leadership in the Built Environment

Dr Christina Scott-Young, PCPM’s Program Manager of Project Management, was an invited guest of the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Institute Project Management (AIPM) at the International Women’s Day luncheon held in March at the Crown Palladium. The event was attended by over 600 members of the Project Management, Construction, Engineering and Finance sectors. The theme was Diversity in Leadership: A Global Story.

Emmy award winning journalist and author, Sara James, was the Keynote Speaker, followed by a discussion with a panel of experts, including:

• Damien Farrell, CEO, Australian School of Applied Management & Founder of Women in Leadership Australia
• Lisa Annese, CEO, Diversity Council of Australia Ltd
• Van Tang, Operating Centre Manager, GHD and National Finalist in the 2014 Telstra Business Women’s Awards

Key messages were that the lack of women in leadership positions is a waste of much needed talent and is impacting the business bottom line. Companies with more women in leadership positions outperform their competitors. The speakers highlighted that we need more male leaders to champion women in leadership in the project management, construction and engineering sectors. Companies were urged to consider family-friendly flexible working arrangements and to focus on outcomes, not face time in the office.
Dr Scott-Young said the key messages underscored the importance of a current PCPM Honours research project on women’s experiences in the project management and construction sectors. This study is being conducted by one of her students, Chanelle Secatore. In Australia, women make up only 12% of employees in the construction industry. Chanelle’s research will explore what attracts women into this male dominated industry; the barriers they experience; and what makes them stay. Her findings will contribute to our understanding of what needs to be done to increase diversity in leadership in the built environment.