We are pleased to welcome Dr Ashlee Linck to Monash Health in her dual role as the Gender Equity Lead, and as part of the Organisational Development and Learning Team.
In her new role, Ashlee will sit across the Equity & Inclusion Committee and the Gender Equality Committee and will drive the implementation of the new Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP) and associated gender programs throughout Monash Health.
She comes to Monash Health with global experience spanning commercial, healthcare and academic industries.
A proactive approach to an inclusive workplace
Ashlee’s individual experiences have developed her passion for the area of gender equality, and she is looking forward to delivering positive, high-impact community and patient outcomes.
“I have personally felt the barriers faced by women and gender diverse people, and these lived experiences drive my passion for creating gender equality in workplaces,” Ashlee said.
“If we initiate changes which support and create easier pathways for everyone, and back this with robust frameworks, it will result in fairer workplaces for all,” she continued.
Ashlee believes that true outcomes are best achieved by including a diverse range of stakeholders and considers that Monash Health is very proactive and engaged in the gender space.
“The Gender Equality Action Plan has many ambitious targets. It speaks to creating an inclusive environment, not just in the gender space, but areas like disability, and across the wider organisation,” she said.
She sees the main barrier to achieving gender equality as our own individual existing conscious and unconscious biases. She explains that we each have an existing ‘blueprint’ which has been influenced by how we were raised and our lived experiences.
“Even when we think we are progressive, there are opportunities to reflect and challenge experiences to unlock that unconscious bias. We can then take this self-awareness into the organisation to create an environment that is supportive to all,” she explains.
Creating fair opportunities for equal outcomes
Ashlee sees education, training, learning and understanding as the keys to breaking down barriers to gender inequality. The ability to be self-aware, both as individuals and as a group, allows us to reflect on our strengths and see where there are opportunities for improvement.
She also sees the importance of being vulnerable, reflecting on those occasions where, perhaps, we haven’t been as inclusive as we should have, and sharing individual experiences where we have been excluded.
By sharing experiences in a vulnerable way across different divisions and layers of the organisation, we encourage a place of inclusion and understanding.
“I see a great opportunity to integrate my leadership development skills with a gender equality awareness that can champion a new perspective across our leadership teams and leadership development programs,” Ashlee said.
Ashlee encourages anyone to get in touch via email (Ashlee.Linck@monashhealth.org) if they would like to discuss gender equality or leadership development.
At Monash Health, we foster a workplace environment that enables all employees to realise their full potential and encourage all employees to take time to read the Gender Equality Action Plan.
Download your copy of the Gender Equality Action Plan.
Approved by Anjali Dhulia