CCF Women in Civil

What does a diverse workforce look like?

Workforce diversity means creating an inclusive environment that accepts each employees differences and embraces their strengths. The culture of this workplace, provides opportunities for all employees to achieve their full potential. Valuing difference provides each employee permission to contribute their unique experiences to the workplace and team.

An employer that acknowledges the similarities and differences amongst employees, in terms of age, cultural background, physical abilities and disabilities, race, religion and gender, can be described as a workplace that engages a diverse workforce.

Following guest speaker presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to address key issues in a round-table format.

Guest Speakers will include:

Alison Wall
(Manager, Industry Capability and Development at Major Road Projects Victoria)

Alison is Manager, Industry Capability and Development at Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV) and joined the Social Values, Capability and Inclusion team at MRPV in June 2019.
She has a background in workforce development and education, and has worked across a range of industry areas. Before joining MRPV, Alison was at NBN and oversaw the training and capability development of the national workforce to build and maintain the NBN network.
Most recently she held the role of Deputy Chair of the national Industry Reference Committee for the Information and Communications Training Package, working in conjunction with PwC and the Australian Industry and Skills Committee.

Helen Christo
(HR Manager at Rokon Pty Ltd)

Helen joined Rokon in 2018 in the role of GM Human Resources and leads the HR and WHS teams. Helen has worked across various industry sectors, alongside many wonderful and talented individuals. Helen is passionate about achieving outcomes through people and providing learning and development opportunities that improve both individual and organisational performance.

Laurice Temple
(Managing Director of the Ripple Affect Institute)

Laurice is business owner, consultant and board director with 30 years project management experience in Australia, United States, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand on large infrastructure projects. Laurice will talk about her efforts dedicated to addressing cultural, wellbeing, and inclusivity challenges to help strengthen the industry as a whole.

Kristen Campbell
(Chief Operating Officer of JobsBank)

Kirsten Campbell is the founding Chief Operating Officer of JobsBank, a new for-purpose organisation that will work to ensure that everyone, regardless of background or barriers, has the opportunity to secure a job they can be proud of. She has 15 years of experience in the Victorian Public Service working on transformation projects to simplify, streamline and increase the impact of health and human services. She is passionate about bringing together people from different sectors and communities to collectively identify and dismantle the barriers that generate inequality and hold people back.

Suzanne Hewitt
(Social Inclusion Advisor at John Holland)

Born in Suffolk, England, Suzanne began her career working in the Shipping and Logistics industry.
On moving to Australia in 2016, Suzanne found her passion in her current role with major construction company, John Holland working as the Social Procurement and Inclusion Advisor on North Western Program Alliance.
This role sees Suzanne working in collaboration with project teams and subcontractors to identify opportunities to engage social enterprises or Aboriginal businesses within the supply chain.
A keen believer on the value diversity brings to the organisation, Suzanne champions with the NWPA people team to foster inclusive recruitment and work practices.