Female and gender-diverse students who participate in the Platinum+ Emerging Leaders program as part of career development in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) will have access to a blend of masterclasses, psychometric assessments, mentoring and networking that will build confidence, capabilities and connections.

Connecting them to a supportive network of over 5,000 like-minded women across Australia, the program aims to elevate the students’ professional skills and career strategy.

Only 32 per cent of leadership roles globally are held by women, and gender diverse individuals face even greater barriers. Women are often promoted at slower rates than their male counterparts due to unconscious bias, limited access to leadership opportunities and a lack of representation in senior roles.

“A program like Platinum+ by FW is crucial for female and gender-diverse students due to the unique challenges they face in advancing their careers and reaching leadership roles,” said Melanie Spudic, Careers and Employability Coordinator at Macquarie Business School.

“Recognising these challenges, we chose to partner with FW because of their commitment to empowering women and gender-diverse individuals through high-quality leadership development. Platinum+ provides students with the skills, connections and confidence to overcome barriers, fast-track their careers and take on roles with impact. Together, we’re working to close the gender leadership gap to create a more inclusive future.”

Specialist and Platinum+ Lead at FW Astrid Edwards said, “The partnership between Macquarie Business School and FW is a brilliant way to connect emerging women leaders to industry, growing their connections and community as they start their leadership journey.”

Flexibility and immediately applicable content are at the core of the program

Platinum+ is offered as an ‘always on’ program, which includes scheduled program delivery, networking, and a vast repository of professional development content through FW’s website and members-only community.

MBA Course Director Associate Professor Nidthida Lin says this allows busy MBA students the ability to participate when their study and professional schedules allow.

“The flexibility of the program ensures our students don’t feel like career development activities are adding to their workload. Instead, they feel empowered to set their own goals and expectations.”

Participating students will get access to exclusively curated resources covering inclusive leadership, presenting for success, strengths and values-based leadership, building high performing teams, and practical people management, as well as an online ticket to FW’s annual Leadership Summit.

Iris Bua, an MBA candidate at Macquarie Business School, said the program has many benefits.

“I'm really enjoying the program – the event frequency and communications are just right, keeping me engaged with valuable topics. A major highlight for me is attending the FW summit, and I’m excited to be part of such a great experience.”

Diverse and inclusive workplaces are to everyone's benefit: how can men support

Male students can join FW’s Change Makers program, which is also offered as career development in the MBA program at Macquarie Business School. This program is designed for men who want to become best-practice leaders, assisting them in understanding how a diverse and inclusive workplace is to everyone’s benefit.

Find out more about the MBA at Macquarie Business School: https://www.mq.edu.au/study/find-a-course/courses/master-of-business-administration