A celebration of game-changing women

Angela Winkle 

Chief Sustainability Officer, R.M.Williams



“In any situation, ask if the situation is gender balanced. If not, why not? If the only reason is unconscious bias, then let’s consciously change that.”

Can you tell us a little about what you do?

As the Chief Sustainability Officer I am responsible for the environmental sustainability and social responsibility of R.M.Williams. My role includes setting the strategy and goals, measuring our impact, and working with our business functions to launch new initiatives and embed sustainability and social responsibility across our business and supply chains.

What’s a memorable achievement from your career so far?

Launching our Crafting a Better Future strategy last year was a big highlight - we've set big ambitions and achieving them can transform our business and supply chains.

How will gender equality contribute to a more sustainable future for all?

Gender equality – along with other forms of diversity and equality – leads to better teams, better decisions, better companies, and better societies. If we only listen to one gender (or one cultural group, or one age group etc.), we can't make the best decisions or the best products. Also, crafting a culture that is inclusive of women tends to make it inclusive of other personalities and minorities - i.e. a better place for all to thrive.

How can we all create – and contribute to – working environments where women can thrive?

In any situation, ask if the situation is gender balanced. If not, why not? The answer might be no and there might be a justified reason, but the question needs to be asked and if the only reason is unconscious bias then let’s consciously change that.

Tara Moses

Chief Operating Officer, R.M.Williams 



“The biggest step we can take is to believe women, to hear them, and to never dismiss them.”

Can you tell us a little about what you do?

As the COO I am responsible for the supply chain of R.M.Williams. That includes production of footwear, bags, belts, and apparel at the Adelaide workshop along with distribution, logistics and procurement. 

What’s a memorable achievement from your career so far?

My biggest and most memorable achievements come down to bringing to life the things that seemed impossible, like getting full supply chain traceability in a large wood window and door company 15 years ago, when FSC was a new concept. Another example from a previous role was leading a large team through a catastrophic cyber attack that left us without any and all systems for months. I helped the team problem solve and identify what was needed in order to keep producing, which we did. 

How can we all create - and contribute to - working environments where women can thrive? 

The biggest step we can take is to believe women, to hear them, and to never dismiss them. They have key insights and it takes tremendous courage for women to speak up given that many have historical experiences that have silenced them. Also, challenge your own biases - and we all have them. For example, when a woman isn’t being happy or smiley, do not assume she is angry and do not expect her to be the stereotype that has historically been developed. Ask yourself, “is my view of this person shaped by who I expect them to be?”

Lottie Dalziel

Founder and CEO, Banish



“My advice to women who are fortunate enough to be in a position of power is provide the opportunity for other women to thrive, achieve and succeed.”

Can you tell us a little about what your background and what you do now? 

I was working as a journalist when I first had the idea to start Banish. I was trying to do my bit to “do better for the planet” but found it difficult to access credible information that not only was easy to understand, but actionable. I launched Banish in 2018 as a platform to teach people how to reduce their waste and environmental footprint, but also connect them with Australian businesses that are doing right for the planet. As the owner of a growing social enterprise my current role involves doing just about everything that needs doing: managing staff, building educational materials, strategy and planning and sorting recycling of course!  

What’s a memorable achievement from your career so far? 

One of my most recent milestones would have to have been being named 2023 NSW Young Australian of the Year. It was completely unexpected and has already allowed me to connect and reach so many more people to help educate, empower and inspire them to live more sustainably.  

How will gender equality contribute to a more sustainable future for all? 

Building a more sustainable future shouldn’t involve gender, it involves everyone doing their bit to help save our planet no matter who you are and what you identify as. It’s about equality. Building a sustainable future for all will come as a result of better access to information and the tools and infrastructure needed to take climate action.   

How can we all create - and contribute to - working environments where women can thrive?

I am a big believer in providing opportunities for as many women as possible. Banish is a female-founded, female-driven enterprise, our volunteer program is run solely by women who have taken the initiative have a real impact in what we’re building. My advice to those who are fortunate enough to be in a position of power is provide the opportunity for women to thrive, achieve and succeed. One of my favourite quotes goes something along the lines of “if you were someone who has climbed the ladder then don’t forget to leave it down to make it easier for the next person.”

Andie Halas

Founder and Director, Thread Together 



“The quickest path to equality is to ensure girls everywhere receive a full education.”

Can you tell us a little about what you do? 

I am currently the founder and director of Thread Together. Over the last 10 years I have held every position imaginable, from packing boxes to fundraising, marketing to chairperson. When you start up a not-for-profit you must really do it all until people start believing and supporting your endeavours. Now we are in a position where we have been able to employ a great CEO and a small team, which allows me to focus on the vision, growth, and future of Thread Together. 

What’s a memorable achievement from your career so far? 

Thinking back at a single decision to donate some new towels to a local charity, I could never have imagined that 10 years later we would be clothing half a million Australians whilst at the same time becoming an ethical response to fashion waste, diverting thousands of tonnes of clothes and shoes from landfill to people in need.

I have an early memory of interacting with an 8-year-old refugee during my very first visit to the Asylum Seeker Centre. She was so small and instead of being at school she was in a support centre. When she was choosing some new shoes, a dress and a cardigan, a smile and a tear appeared simultaneously.

Most recently, being one of the first responders to the recent floods that struck our Australian communities, seeing families and men and women come to us having lost everything and seeing the joy in their face when they were able to select new clean clothing was just priceless.

What projects are you currently working on and how will they impact your community? 

Our latest project is our wardrobe capsule service which is being placed in women and children’s shelters. This service addresses the immediacy of the need for clothing upon arrival to these shelters - many women and children leave these situations leave with nothing. We are providing a dignified solution with an essential capsule they can choose from to make them comfortable in their new surroundings.    

How will gender equality contribute to a more sustainable future for all? 

All people are entitled to equal rights, opportunities and protection. Equality is good for our society; it promotes peaceful communities, as well as economic and social progress. The quickest path to equality is to ensure girls everywhere receive a full education - it’s key to transforming the world. Thread Together’s service allow people to put their best foot forward and show up for themselves. 

Rachel Allen 

Design Director, R.M.Williams 



“A balanced shift from competitiveness to collaboration means less time wasted, we can get the best from our people so that creativity can thrive.”

Can you tell us a little about what you do? 

My role as Design Director is to inspire and lead the amazing people in our product design and development teams. In leading a diverse group of people from all different creative backgrounds, I have to nurture a strong culture of respect and teamwork, to do the best for both the people and the brand. I have been lucky enough to have worked in lots of different fashion brands over the last 25 years, but this role the most special. We are so lucky to still have our very own workshop and it is such a huge privilege to be able to work so closely with our craftspeople in Adelaide. 

What’s a memorable achievement from your career so far? 

In my very first job after graduating, I was lucky enough to join a big dynamic business, based in London and shaped in the most part by incredibly smart women. That influence laid strong foundations for my career and approach to leadership and taught me the importance of empowerment in the workplace. 

How will gender equality contribute to a more sustainable future for all? 

It would have a huge impact as we work towards a more balanced workforce which respects alternative ways of problem solving and communicating. Hopefully a balanced shift from competitiveness to collaboration means less time wasted, we can get the best from our people so that creativity can thrive. 

How can we all create - and contribute to - working environments where women can thrive? 

The shift starts with education: our collective responsibility to educate our children to respect difference, creativity, the power of communication and teamwork.