Overcoming resistance to gender equity | CEO Summit

We recently hosted our first CEO Summit of 2025, on Overcoming Resistance to Gender Equity, bringing together leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities in driving change.

Hosted by Ben Lambert, Managing Director of Aurecon, the summit explored how organisations can better understand and address resistance to gender equity.

Discussions focused on building trust, engaging employees, and ensuring leadership accountability. Members explored strategies to foster open conversations, shift from intervention to prevention, and embed inclusive practices.

Attendees also took part in The Experience Lab’s Gender Equity Call Back Centre, an interactive session highlighting workplace resistance and effective responses.

• Key takeaways from the summit included:

• Resistance can be harnessed as a tool for change.

• Trust is essential, leaders must create safe spaces for open conversations.

• Measure engagement and resistance through employee surveys.

• Celebrate small wins to sustain momentum.

• Upstander training empowers employees to challenge gender bias.

• Role model behaviours visibly, when leaders prioritise equity, others follow.

• CEOs must drive change but ensure accountability at all leadership levels.

Thank you to our members for their contributions to this discussion and to The Experience Lab for their performance.

Want to be part of these conversations? Join us and connect with leaders driving change at info@ceosforgenderequity.com.au