Behind Closed Doors’ Donny Walford challenging the status quo
Adelaide businesswoman Donny Walford continues to challenge the gender imbalance in corporate Australia, helping to nurture the next generation of female business leaders.
SA Business
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Growing up “a tomboy” in a household where her mum built the pool table and did the woodwork, SA businesswoman Donny Walford came well-prepared to challenge status quos.
She was the first woman to be appointed to senior management at the State Bank of South Australia in 1984 – then a 130-year-plus organisation with 3500 employees.
She has ensured a spot at the top decision-making table in a number of organisations for more than two decades, despite the gender balance almost always tilted towards one end of the scale.
When she was appointed to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation board by the Turnbull Government in 2015, it was the first time she was in a boardroom with another woman sitting at the table.
“I was motivated by learning and I always backed myself,” Ms Walford told The Advertiser.
“From my perspective, even today women back away from investing in their own personal and professional development.
“They are happy to do it for others, but they don’t do it for themselves.”
In 2008, she started Behind Closed Doors, pushing women to network and undertake professional help to boost career opportunities and growth. What started as a female-only executive program has today extended to include emerging leaders and entrepreneurs nationally. Since 2012, BCD has awarded more than $360,000 worth of scholarships to aspiring women nationally and has a 1200-strong alumni.
“There is a culture change now. When you ruffle feathers today, you have a network to support you and that is a good thing.”
Another business, DW Bottom Line has been going since 2006, designed to support both men and women, to be on boards. She works in partnership with the Australian Institute of Company Directors to support women to be board-ready.
Last week, Ms Walford announced she was taking her suite of professional development services to potential members, through a new e-learning format.
“Now we’ll be able to reach more women, those in rural and remote locations, or women who are simply time poor.”
She intends to keep the momentum on DW Bottom Line and BCD going while pursuing her own board career.
Her term at the ABC ends in November 2020, and she currently sits on the boards of SA Venture Capital Fund and KeyInvest, but opportunities to be involved with other boards are also on the cards.
“I see myself as a professional board director and I will never stop learning, coaching and mentoring.”