Elizabeth Broderick is one of Australia’s most inspiring women. Able to walk into any boardroom – most of which are still dominated by men – and strike a deal, she is taking forward her agenda in the highest circles, but discreetly. Her warm, engaging manner and her genuine interest in people make her the ideal person to take on the role of Sex Discrimination Commissioner.

Broderick was appointed as Sex Discrimination Commissioner for a five-year term in September 2007. The term has been extended for a further two years. She was also the Commissioner responsible for Age Discrimination from 2007 – 2011.

A lawyer and businesswoman, Broderick was the 2001- 2012 Telstra New South Wales Business Woman of the Year and Australian Corporate Business Woman of the Year. It is no coincidence, therefore, that her most striking success has been at the highest levels of business: from 2009 to 2010, she helped bring about almost a six-fold increase in the number of women appointed to ASX 200 boards.

As Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Broderick has travelled the length and breadth of Australia listening to concerns about gender equality and age discrimination. She has achieved some significant successes in areas such as preventing violence against women and sexual harassment; balancing paid work with unpaid caring responsibilities; improving lifetime economic security for women; strengthening gender equality laws, monitoring and agencies; and promoting women’s representation in leadership positions. She has also facilitated the attendance at the UN of women from marginalized groups as key advocates addressing issues such as alcohol abuse and domestic violence.

Ms Elizabeth Broderick

Commissioner, Sex Discrimination, Australian Human Rights Commission

• Commissioner, Age Discrimination, Australian Human Rights Commission (2007-2011)
• Partner, Blake Dawson (1988-2007)
• Global Co-Chair, the Women’s Empowerment Principles Leadership Group