ANU Centre for Asian-Australian Leadership

Welcome

The Centre for Asian-Australian Leadership (CAAL) is the first of its kind in Australia. Established in January 2020 by the Australian National University (ANU), CAAL aims to research and provide solutions to tackle the ‘bamboo ceiling’ in Australia and address the significant under-representation of Asian-Australians in leadership positions within Australian public institutions and major private sector corporations.

CAAL’s vision is for inclusive, authentic and representative leadership in Australia, with being Asian-Australian no longer a barrier to succeeding in leadership positions.

CAAL’s purpose is to increase Asian-Australian representation in leadership positions in Australia, by levelling the playing field and making the case for removing the systemic and institutional barriers that presently exist. CAAL will undertake and support independent research, targeted engagement, outreach initiatives, and tailored executive leadership training programs. It will seek to drive national conversations, establish partnerships and challenge current leadership models within public institutions and major corporations to ensure they better reflect the cultural diversity of our society.

CAAL’s main areas of focus are:

Researching the ethnic and cultural composition of Australia’s key public and private sector institutions, and propose ways to increase the number of Asian-Australians in senior leadership positions.
Brokering conversations, promoting ideas, and exploring advocacy initiatives in support of Asian-Australian leaders and removing the ‘bamboo ceiling’.
Delivering evidence-based educational training programs to empower and nurture emerging Asian-Australian leaders and encourage cultural change in workplaces.
Developing a national roadmap for systemic change by redefining the measures of success for leadership, mechanisms for change and areas to leverage momentum within Asian-Australian communities and across industries and professions.
Strengthening the understanding and awareness of the potential of Asian-Australian leadership to promote and enhance diverse, authentic and inclusive leadership skills and qualities across our workplaces and nation.

The Centre's activities and impact are guided by four key strategic questions:

How do we define the leadership gaps facing Asian-Australians?
What are the benefits of more Asian-Australians becoming leaders?
How can CAAL help close those gaps in Asian-Australian leadership?
What can we do to ensure our Centre and its activities are financially sustainable?

Get in touch with us at caal@anu.edu.au.

Acknowledgements

The CAAL Advisory Board

At CAAL, we are grateful to our Advisory Board, who provide regular guidance and support for the Centre's mission and vision. Our members include:

Geraldine Chin Moody, Non-Executive Director, Future Super and Co-Founder and Executive Director, 5H Values Capital (Chair)
Professor Bina D’Costa, Professor of International Relations, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, The Australian National University
Professor the Hon Gareth Evans AC QC, Distinguished Honorary Professor, The Australian National University
Marina Go, Chair, Netball Australia and Non-Executive Director, Transurban, Energy Australia and 7-Eleven
Sung Lee, Director of Asia Practice, PwC Australia
Sid Myer AM, Chairman, Myer Family Investments
Chris Price, Chief of Staff and Director, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, The Australian National University
Harinder Sidhu, Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Kee Wong, Managing Director, e-Centric Innovations and Board Member, Australian Institute of Company Directors
Jason Yeap OAM, Chairman, Mering Corporation

Our Donors

The Centre would like to sincerely thank our donors for their support, with special mention to Jason Yeap OAM, Sid and Fiona Myer Foundation, Wesfarmers, Scanlon Foundation, Kee Wong, and Henry Makeham.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge and celebrate the First Nations Peoples on whose traditional lands we meet and work, and whose cultures are among the oldest continuing cultures in human history.