At Sigma, we support and champion women’s voices thereby fostering an environment of inclusion, relevance, and empowerment. The 2024 theme, #InspireInclusion, aims to motivate others to recognize and appreciate women’s inclusion.

Sigma respects, values and amplifies the voices of a diverse and inclusive workforce, embracing a variety of perspectives. We take pride in our efforts to ensure that Sigma remains an outstanding workplace for all team members and are endorsed by WORK180 as an employer who is committed to advancing women’s careers. As of January 2024, 45.58% of all vacant Sigma leadership roles in FY23/24 were filled by women, and 37.5% of our Executive Leadership team and 33% of our Board are positions held by women. In addition, we’ve had 39 women participate in our Women in Leadership Program, with 2 new cohorts joining the program this year.

Our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace includes these actions:

• Establishing an Emerging Leaders Diversity Project Team to guide our 2024 diversity and inclusion plans
• Aiming to achieve gender balance on the Board as vacancies and circumstances permit
• Aiming to achieve gender balance across Executive and Senior Management positions as vacancies and circumstances permit
• Targeting equal gender participation in key Talent Management programs
• Monitoring and addressing issues of gender pay equity.

We are proud to showcase the voices of the women at Sigma and by acknowledging and amplifying women’s voices, we not only embrace their diverse perspectives but also actively work towards fostering a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

 

Echo Chen – Category Manager

 

How do you perceive the significance of International Women’s Day in promoting empowerment for everyone?

It is crucial for promoting gender equality and empowerment for everyone. It highlights the achievements and challenges faced by women worldwide. By raising awareness, advocating for change and celebrating women’s contributions and achievements, we force a more inclusive and equitable culture for all genders.

 If you could share a meal with any person, regardless of gender, real or fictional, living or deceased, whose story and achievements would inspire a broad audience, who would it be and why?

That would be RBG. Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I am an absolute admirer of her life achievement of promoting gender equality and women’s rights. She authored ground-breaking opinions on issues such as gender discrimination, reproductive rights and LGBTQ +rights. I have watched some of her interviews and would absolutely love to enjoy some witty and yet humorous conversations with her.

 

Brianna Luxford – Logistics Team Manager, Hobart DC

 

How do you perceive the significance of International Women’s Day in promoting empowerment for everyone?

International Women’s Day is significant in promoting empowerment for everyone because it serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for gender equality and the need to uplift and support women in all aspects of life. By celebrating the achievements of women and highlighting the challenges they continue to face, it encourages dialog, action, and solidarity towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all genders.

 What crucial message would you like to convey to team members, irrespective of gender, regarding their career journeys?

My crucial message is to prioritise continuous learning, growth, and resilience. Embrace the challenges as opportunities for development, seek mentorship and support networks, and advocate for yourself in pursuing your professional goals. Remember that your journey is unique, and success is defined by your own aspirations and achievements.

Jasmine Gooi – Head of Commercial Finance

 

How do you perceive the significance of International Women’s Day in promoting empowerment for everyone?

Reflecting on the history of IWD and how far we have come in bringing change to women’s struggles for equality, peace, and development, through bravery and determination, everyone regardless of gender should take this as inspiration and be courageous to bring change for themselves and what they believe in.

Considering your childhood aspirations, how do you think those dreams can inspire and resonate with a diverse range of team members?

In Asia where I grew up, the gender roles in families were and are still very much traditional. Men are expected to be the breadwinner and women to be the caregiver. I remember knowing at a young age that I didn’t want to be a stay-at-home mum. Not that anything is wrong with being a stay-at-home mum – I think it is the toughest job in the world, but I wanted something different. But growing up in Asia as a girl, being career driven was almost frowned upon. With supportive parents I went against the grain, persisted, chased what I wanted to be in life, and I got there. I’m proud I chose and didn’t allow others to make that choice for me.

Margaret Ruhau – Emerton Amcal Pharmacy, Pharmacist and Co-owner

PSA NSW Pharmacist of the Year for 2024

 

Considering your childhood aspirations, how do you think those dreams can inspire and resonate with a diverse range of team members?

As a child I wanted to be a pharmacist but also a mother – not something everyone thinks about these days. Back in the 1980s, pharmacy was a career where you could have a family and return to the same level of job/responsibility which was not always the case in other industries.

I think you do not need to think big to be on a path to success – dreams of good health, healthy family relationships and friends, time to grow in personal endeavours are just as important as the financial and career side of things. We should be working to live – not living to work.

Setting your own idea of success for yourself is very important.

Reflecting on your life journey, what accomplishment holds universal appeal and can inspire people from various backgrounds?

At age 49, I decided to try to complete a marathon – actually a four-day running event starting with 5km, then 10km the next day, then a half marathon followed by a full marathon on the 4th day.  At the start of the year, I could not complete the 10km in the time needed to not be eliminated. But I had a realisation very early on – I did not need to run, I needed to walk very fast, and I could still complete this event in the time allowed and achieve an incredible goal.  So that is what I worked on – a run-walk pattern that allowed me to stay fresh enough and move fast enough to finish.

The lesson here is not just about practicing and training, but it is also about being open to change how you view challenges, many people think they have not done a marathon if they do not ‘run’ the whole way. But I do not see it like that – I was successful because I developed an approach which worked well for me.

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