L2S E13: Libby Lyons on Creating Workforce Gender Equality

Guest Bio: Libby Lyons was appointed Director of Australia's Workplace Gender Equality Agency in 2015. She oversees the process that gathers gender equality data from over 10,000 employers, covering more than 4 million employees. In leading the Agency, Libby is focused on working closely with employers to achieve gender equality.

Soon after her appointment, Libby initiated the development of a strategic plan aimed at maximizing the Agency’s world-leading dataset and expanding the reach and impact of gender reporting nationally and internationally.

As part of this strategic vision, Libby presented at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in 2018 and 2019.

Libby was listed in Apolitical’s 100 Most Influential People Working in Gender Policy for both 2018 and 2019. She is a member of Chief Executive Women and an Ambassador for Honour a Woman.

Prior to joining the Agency, Libby had a distinguished career in corporate affairs and government relations, including senior roles at BHP’s Olympic Dam, Alcoa of Australia, the Western Power Corporation, and Telstra.

Learn more: WGEA

Notable Episode Quotes:

“You know, government is no different to business. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money.” -LL 

“I will only ever be as good at my job as those that work with me, those that put the wind under my wings. So, we have to look out for how we can help move them on and help progress their careers.” -LL “If I know that there is a particular issue that has to be addressed, and it’s coming up in a meeting, and I know that my view is probably contrary or my thoughts or contrary to the majority or particularly the leader.... I’ll caucus. I’ll go out and individually start talking to the different people that are going to be at the table and talk to them and tell them what I think and caucus to try to get that support and say to them, “will you support me in tis. If you don’t I’ll bring it up anyway, but it would be great to have some support around the table.” -LL  “The one thing that I think we all need to work really hard on, as women, is: supporting other women. I still see, much to my disappointment, many senior women... who are not supportive of other women. Who still have that attitude of – I had to do it tough, you can too." -LL

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