New round of scholarships for leaders with disability

The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) in partnership with Australian Network on Disability is pleased to launch the 2023 Disability Leadership Scholarship program.

Applications are invited from across the country for this exciting opportunity to participate in the AICD’s national governance education program, with 100 full-fee scholarships on offer to people living with disability.

Candidates must be over 18 and leaders living with a disability. First Nations people, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and women are encouraged to apply.

The successful candidates will have the chance to boost their leadership and senior executive skills, undertaking one of three leading directorship courses provided by the AICD: either the Company Directors Course, Foundations of Directorship or Governance Foundations for Not-for-Profit Directors.

The 2023 program follows the successful first round of scholarships awarded to 100 talented recipients in 2022.

Disability Leadership Program scholarship recipient 2022, Learning Manager & Non-Executive Director at Aspect Tori Haar said: The opportunity to do the Company Directors Course is going to deepen my understanding of being a director in areas that I don't have as much experience in or knowledge of.

Disability Leadership Program scholarship recipient 2022, Wiradjuri man Cody Jones said: I want to use this scholarship to support myself to enhance my leadership skills which, in turn, will support my community.
 
Designed to maximise board career opportunities, the program offers participants the chance to work with current Australian directors to build disability confidence through Leader-to-Leader conversations. This mutual exchange also helps build greater awareness of the lived experience for people with disability in the workplace and boardroom.

The scholarships include an annual AICD membership and Directorship Opportunities subscription.

AICD Managing Director and CEO Mark Rigotti said the first year of Disability Leadership Scholarships was a great success, helping to enhance the board skills and governance knowledge of one hundred leaders with disability.

“We are committed to continuing this important program and to assisting leaders with disability participate more fully around the board tables of the country. The AICD looks forward to continuing our partnership with Australian Network on Disability to provide this great experience for the next intake of participants.”

Australian Network on Disability CEO Corene Strauss said: We have been thrilled by the calibre of participates who applied for the first year of the Disability Leadership Program and are excited to offer this program to another 100 leaders with disability. We value the opportunity to partner with AICD as we continue to drive impact in making Australian boardrooms more inclusive of people with disability.

The AICD and Australian Network on Disability are proud to have delivered a very successful first round of scholarships and together we look forward to seeing the Disability Leadership Program continue to develop and to make a further contribution to building greater disability awareness and presence on Australian boards.

The Disability Leadership Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to creating greater opportunity for meaningful employment for people living with disability.

https://scholarships.org.au/scholarship/dlpscholarship2023/

Download the media release here.

Media contacts -

AICD: Jane Braslin 0439 167 567

Australian Network on Disability: Megan Jones 0405 014 271

The Australian Institute of Company Directors is committed to strengthening society through world-class governance. We aim to be the independent and trusted voice of governance, building the capability of a community of leaders for the benefit of society. Our membership of 50,000 includes directors and senior leaders from business, government and the not-for-profit sectors.

Australian Network on Disability is the peak body for employers, government, and industry bodies, working towards the equitable inclusion of people with disability. Through education and guidance Australian Network on Disability helps organisations identify unintentional barriers and develop systematic changes, resulting in a more disability confident Australia.