GWPR Australia hires inaugural advisory board to 'create more pathways for women to lead'
Vanessa Liell will serve as advisory board chair.
Global Women in PR Australia has appointed its inaugural advisory board, bringing together senior industry leaders to strengthen advocacy and accelerate action on gender equality across Australia’s public relations and communications sector.
The board has been established to provide strategic guidance and support GWPR Australia’s mission to connect, champion and support women in senior PR and communications roles.
Senior industry leaders join the board
The advisory board includes a cross-section of agency, consultancy and not-for-profit leaders from Australia and the Asia-Pacific region:
• Richard Brett, President, Ogilvy PR Asia Pacific; CEO, Ogilvy PR ANZ; and CEO, Ogilvy Health Australia
• Vanessa Liell, Co-founder, Orizontas and Rethink Everything
• Ian Rumsby, Senior Director and Chief Client Officer, Southeast Asia, APCO
• Kylea Tink, CEO, Foodbank Australia
• Anna Whitlam, CEO and Principal Consultant, WhitlamCo
Vanessa Liell will serve as advisory board chair.
Strengthening advocacy and industry impact
Liell said the board would help extend GWPR Australia’s influence and deepen its ability to drive meaningful change.
“We warmly welcome our Advisory Board – a diverse group of influential women and men whose collective influence, experience and willingness to sponsor change ensures GWPR’s work is supported by the full strength of our industry,” Liell said.
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“Their involvement will deepen GWPR’s advocacy, expand its reach and help create more pathways for women to lead and thrive in the Australian PR industry.”
GWPR Australia committee chair Helen Graney said the board reflects the breadth of the communications sector and will help amplify the organisation’s impact.
“This Advisory Board reflects the breadth and strength of our sector – agencies, corporates, independents and not-for-profits,” Graney said.
“Their strategic insight and networks will help amplify GWPR’s impact for women at every stage of their leadership journey, while working closely with CPRA to embed long-term, systemic change across the industry.”
Partnership with CPRA underpins sector-wide change
The appointment also reinforces GWPR Australia’s partnership with the Communications and Public Relations Australia (CPRA).
CPRA CEO Louise Harland-Cox said the advisory board strengthens the organisation’s ability to drive progress across the profession.
“Supporting GWPR Australia is central to CPRA’s mission to elevate the profession,” Harland-Cox said.
“This Advisory Board strengthens the group’s ability to drive sector-wide impact – expanding access to expertise, unlocking strategic collaboration, and ensuring conversations about equity translate into meaningful industry progress.”
As GWPR Australia enters this next phase, the advisory board will guide strategy, deepen partnerships and support initiatives designed to challenge outdated norms, expand leadership opportunities and build a more equitable future for the communications industry.
Top Image: Michelle Hutton, Kylea Tink, Sunita Gloster, Helen Graney
