Following International Women’s Day on 8 March 2025, Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) has released the organisation’s first ‘Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy’.
The strategy highlights the organisation’s goal to embrace inclusion, diversity and equity, and outlines 6 years’ of action towards inclusive leadership, diverse workforce and workplace culture, and community collaboration and partnerships.
“Embracing diversity, championing equity, and fostering inclusivity create meaningful impacts — not just for pharmacists and their teams, but for every patient in their care,” says AdPha Vice President Dr Kate O’Hara FANZCAP (Neonatol, Paeds), who championed the initiative with fellow Director Brenda Shum FANZCAP (Lead & Mgmt).
“The strategy encompasses four clear goals relating to inclusive leadership, workplace diversity, community collaboration and partnerships and advocacy, in our pursuit of health and social equity.”
AdPha Chief Executive Kristin Michaels says diversity in decision-making benefits everyone.
“Female leadership is strong at AdPha, with women comprising two-thirds of the Board of Directors, and three-quarters of elected Specialty Practice Leadership Committee positions,” she says.
“We support women in leadership through our network of programs and services, always ensuring women’s voices are valued and heard.
“By empowering female leadership we foster a more inclusive culture and entrench more diverse perspectives, which strengthen our decision-making and professional impact.
“This not only enhances our work but also brings lasting benefits to our members, their networks, and the profession as a whole.”
