ARA welcomes Women Leaders in Retail CEW Scholarship applications

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and Chief Executive Women (CEW) have reopened applications for its Women Leaders in Retail CEW Scholarship. The scholarship will enable an emerging Australian woman leader in retail to study at the Harvard Business School in Boston, USA.

For the second year running, the ARA and CEW invite applications from ambitious female retail executives looking to accelerate their professional development.

“Although 75 percent of discretionary spend is made by women, only 17 percent of our sector is led by female CEOs – this is something the ARA is determined to change,” said ARA CEO Paul Zahra. “This is a fantastic opportunity for a woman who is working in the mid to senior level of the retail industry to take their leadership to the next level and set themselves up for future success.”

Last year, Wesfarmers OneDigital Finance GM Virginia Leaf was awarded the scholarship.

To be eligible, applicants must: work in the retail sector and their organisation be an ARA member, hold a mid to senior executive role, have five or more years general management experience, and receive endorsement from senior management or the board of their organisation.

“Retail is one of the largest employers of women in the country, yet women are under-represented in senior leadership roles across the industry,” said CEW Scholarships Chair Deidre Willmott. “We want to change this. Together with ARA we have created this once-in-a-lifetime scholarship opportunity for a woman leader in the industry to accelerate their career, while advancing women’s leadership across the industry. I encourage all eligible women to grasp this opportunity and apply.”

Applications can be made here, and close 18 June.

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