There are only 6 openly gay directors on the ASX. Paul Zahra hopes to change that
The former David Jones CEO helped establish the University of Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship to create a pipeline of visibly diverse leaders who can design more inclusive workplaces.
Paul Zahra: “It’s not just about being openly gay. You’ve got to be a visible role model”. Dominic Lorrimer
As chief executive of David Jones from 2010 to 2014, Paul Zahra led the retailer through one of its toughest periods, launched an omnichannel strategy to brace the bricks and mortar giant for the onset of online shopping, and prepared for a takeover by Woolworths South Africa in 2014.
One of the things he is most proud of during his time at the retailer, however, is being a role model for diverse leadership. There is not much of it. At board level, there are only six openly LGBTQIA+ directors in the ASX 200 based on data from the Australian LGBTQ+ Board & Executive Inclusion (ALBEI) organisation.
Hannah TattersallWork and careers reporterHannah Tattersall is a work and careers reporter for The Australian Financial Review and writes about executive education. Email Hannah at hannah.tattersall@afr.com.au
