CCIWA is proud to name the Gender Inclusion Award of the inaugural Diversity & Inclusion Awards in honour of the late Michael Parker, a leader who championed gender diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.
Michael was the CEO of Fremantle Ports for three years and passed away earlier this year.
He is remembered among WA businesses and leaders for his advocacy in gender diversity, equity and inclusion, pre-dominantly during his long tenure at Alcoa.
“I firmly believe that it’s everyone’s responsibility to build a culture of equality, promote diversity and to effect positive change in our workplace, and the most important difference we can make is to create an environment where women can work, want to work and can excel,” he said upon being named the Gender Diversity Champion at the 2019 CME Women in Resources National Awards.
“By driving equality and equity we make our local communities better places, and our State is going to be the ultimate beneficiary.”
Michael’s legacy lives on
Under his leadership, Fremantle Ports significantly upgraded port assets and implemented organisational changes to prepare for the future.
“On gender equity he wanted to make sure that we were being as inclusive and as open and approachable around this space as we could possibly be,” says Robyn Anderson, Fremantle Ports Organisational Development Manager.
Michael previously had a 25-year career at Alcoa, including nearly five years as Alcoa Alumina and Alcoa of Australia’s chairman and managing director.
“Michael’s legacy lives on in our organisation today, through the policies and procedures that we have in place and through the development and training opportunities that we still roll out across Australia,” says Alcoa Vice President of Operations Australia Tanya Simmonds.
“It warms me that we have an award now in his honour that represents inclusion and diversity and the success that he’s had in this space and the impact that he’s had on many, many females in our industry.”
The 2024 Diversity & Inclusion Awards recognise excellence in businesses promoting diversity and inclusion within WA.
The Awards Gala event is held on Friday, July 19 at Crown Perth. Book your tickets here.
