Women’s Rural, Regional and Remote Scholarship

Outstanding women leaders from across Australia have been awarded with governance education scholarships through the AICD Women’s Regional, Rural and Remote Diversity Scholarship program, made possible with the support of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Office for Women.

More than 130 scholarships were awarded to high-performing women living outside metro areas who are looking to build on their leadership skills through AICD membership and governance education. 

This program is one of the ways the AICD is helping forge new pathways to the boardroom for diverse leaders. It delivers leadership development opportunities to women in regional and rural areas with a focus on intersectional challenges including women with disability, First Nations or culturally and linguistically diverse women, or those working in sectors where women are under-represented. 

AICD CEO and Managing Director Mark Rigotti acknowledged the demand for the program that attracted more than 1300 applications over two rounds.  

“The AICD knows that diversity around the board table is central to stronger decision-making and good governance. We are delighted to partner once again with the Office for Women on this impactful initiative. 

“The calibre of applications received from across the country demonstrates the need for targeted programs to actively engage cohorts who face additional barriers to leadership opportunities such as women from culturally diverse backgrounds, with disability or First Nations women.  

“The world-class education that these scholarship winners will gain will boost their governance and leadership skills and in turn help communities and those who rely on the services their organisations provide.” 

In addition to undertaking the AICD’s Foundations of Directorship or Company Directors Courses, each of the scholarship recipients received 12 months’ AICD membership giving them access to a wide range of member resources and learning opportunities.  

Recipients from Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2023 AICD Women’s Regional, Rural and Remote Diversity Scholarship are listed below. Read more about participants’ experiences with the scholarship program in Company Director.  

Download the media-release here.

2023 AICD Women’s Regional, Rural and Remote Diversity Scholarship winners