Michelle McAndrew and Tracey Grigor
HQ Plantations CEO Jason Wilson has shared a few thoughts about the importance of International Women’s Day, how diversity leads to different perspectives and better decision-making, and the significance of appointing HQP’s first female District Manager, Tracey Grigor, and the first female General Manager, Michelle McAndrew, who has joined the Executive Leadership Team. Source: Timberbiz
March 8 is International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the achievements of women and a call to action for accelerating gender equality and eliminating bias. This year, Mr Wilson, says we have a lot to celebrate and more to do.
“Once a year we take the time on International Women’s Day to recognise how far we have come over the last few decades to improve equality and inclusion for women. It is also a day to focus our attention on how far we have yet to go,” said Mr Wilson said.
“For me, I see benefit in reflecting on what was once a completely different employment environment for women in HQP and being proud that we have progressed to a point where we have been recognised by Diversity Council Australia as an Inclusive Employer. But this has taken a long time and we have more to do. Our focus needs to be on the future more than where we have come from.
“This year’s theme for IWD being ‘Inspire Inclusion’ I think is very relevant to HQPlantations and our desire to have a Growing together Culture to create OneHQP.
“We have seen several changes in the relatively short time that I have been here including the recent announcement of two firsts for HQPlantations. We have appointed our first female District Manager, Ms Grigor, and our first female ELT member in Ms McAndrew.
“Bringing diverse views to the Leadership table helps HQP make better decisions that are more informed, with better perspective. That relies on having qualified and capable people with the appropriate skills that are complimentary, yet in some cases different, to others at the table.
“Michelle has demonstrated for many years that her knowledge and insight adds value and her inclusion into ELT should be seen as inspiring to others. I am keen for this same model to be spread more widely across HQP and the industry. Diverse views are not only sought but valued across many different teams, not just the ELT Table.
“There is so much potential for us to grow and prosper by harnessing the potential that exists already in the diverse knowledge and perspectives of the HQP team. Hopefully, Michelle’s promotion inspires more inclusion at all levels in HQPlantations,” Mr Wilson said.
