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About Us

CEW is the pre-eminent organisation representing prominent and influential women leaders from the corporate, public service, academic and not-for-profit sectors.

They oversee more than 1.3 million employees and $749 billion in revenue. Members’ organisations have a combined market capitalisation greater than $1.144 trillion and contribute in excess of $249 billion to Australia’s GDP.

Since 1985 CEW has influenced and engaged all levels of Australian business and government to achieve gender balance. Through advocacy, research, targeted programs and scholarships, CEW helps to remove the barriers to women’s progression and ensure equal opportunity for prosperity. CEW’s members work actively to realise our vision of a community where women and men have equal economic and social choices and responsibilities.

The 2023 CEW Census found that at the current rate of change it could take up to 50 years to reach gender parity in CEO roles. However, the 2023 data does prove we are moving in the right direction, albeit much too slowly.

By accelerating the pace of this change, we collectively have an opportunity to help solve the economic and social challenges facing Australians today. Accelerating our efforts to progress gender equality benefits everyone.

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Barbara Cail AO
Founding CEW President

Within the arc of CEW’s history I have witnessed and relished a rich diversity of leadership skills provided by the members. There is enormous power contained within this collective mindset. By being dedicated to making a difference, it is measurably doing so. And it is totally infectious. I remain enormously grateful for the huge level of generosity of time and talent invested by so many women.

CEW’s mission is women leaders empowering all women. 

WE ARE CEW

 
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