Courtesy of Heather Ridout
Heather Ridout, AO, has made history as the first woman appointed to the role of Australian Consul General in New York, a position of great honor and responsibility. With over four decades of experience in business and public affairs, including serving as the former Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group and as a board member of prominent organizations like the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) Limited, Ms. Ridout brings a wealth of expertise to her new role.
In this exclusive interview, we explore her thoughts on promoting women in business, the significance of authentic Australian art and culture in New York, and her exciting collaboration as our AWNY Patron. Heather's journey as the Australian Consul General in New York is a testament to her dedication to advancing Australian interests and fostering connections in the vibrant city she now calls home.
Describe the importance of being the first woman appointed to the role of Australia's
Consul-General in New York.
Being appointed CG was a great surprise. It's a tremendous honor to represent Australia in this city. Being the first woman to take it up is really a question of "what's taken so long" as much as anything else. Like gender diversity on Boards or senior management more broadly, I hope to bring new perspectives to the role and lift and broaden its reach. My relationship with AWNY is a case in point. I understand instinctively what you are doing and why it's important.
Courtesy of Heather Ridout.
Could you share your thoughts on the significance of promoting women in business, and what plans do you have to champion this cause during your time as Consul-General?
Women are starring in business both here in NYC and in Australia. All the research indicates that gender diversity in both management and boards materially lifts a company's performance. So, it's vital that women's representation in business is a strategic focus and is actively promoted by management and Boards. There are still too few female CEOs – which puts a lot of pressure on those women who are CEOs, but the representation on Boards is becoming more balanced, albeit with more progress still to come. Women must actively set out to be in the pipeline from which CEOs are chosen. Giving yourself the option is important. Also, managing family responsibilities is tough, but there's more flexibility these days. A key support is ensuring your partner bears a fair share of the load. At the Consulate, we put a gender lens over all our activities. We plan particular events to highlight women and leadership, but we actively incorporate gender balance in all we do.
Courtesy of Heather Ridout
As our Australian Women in New York (AWNY) patron, what excites you most about collaborating and contributing to the organization's mission and activities?
AWNY is a terrific organization. I know this from my personal experience and from what I've heard from so many others who have deeply benefited from the support and collegiality it enables. AWNY helps people and makes their lives and connections to the city much happier and easier. It assists women in diverse ways, reflecting the organization's responsive nature. It fills big gaps, and we are all grateful for what they do. They also have terrific parties!
New York is a dynamic place for fashion, art, and culture. How do you think Australian talent and creativity can shine and impact these industries here?
To put it in one word, I would say Australia can shine here with its Authenticity. Being the global cultural giant that New York is, there is a never-ending stream of exhibitions, musicals, fashion, and theatre at our fingertips. This is a blessing and a curse, as it gets easy to get caught up in the swell and fatigue of images. I think something truly special about Australian art is its honesty and authenticity. Whether this is the depiction of our landscape (think of the successes of John Olsen and Brett Whitley and AWNY members Zoe Wetherall and Laura Dortmans, who recently showed their depictions of landscapes at the Consulate!) Or honest depictions of the human condition (think of the photography of Tracy Moffatt). Amid New York's energy, I think that honest art that makes people pause for a moment is something unique that Australian art can offer. Proof of this can be seen in First Nations art's success in the city in recent years—through its frequent exhibition and presence at major auction houses like Sotheby's. And what is more authentic than First Nations painting?
Can you share a memorable "New York moment" you've experienced since taking on your role as Australian Consul-General? Something that captures the essence of the city or your time here so far?
I think my first week here was the ultimate New York experience. My first function was hosting the grand Australian Maestro, Simone Young, at the Consulate. Within that first week, I had the honor of participating in the commemoration of Anzac Day, which involved laying a wreath with our New Zealand colleagues at the dawn service on a rooftop garden at the Rockefeller Centre, addressing the dawn service on the deck of The Intrepid and laying a wreath there, delivering an Anzac Day address to the Anzac service from the pulpit of Trinity Church. Although in totally new surroundings, this moment connected me and the greater ANZAC community to home. The final component of the commemorative services led to a luncheon hosted by the AAA and its wonderful Director, John Berry. The next day, I attended a performance by the New York Philharmonic to celebrate the re-opening of the David Geffen Hall at the Lincoln Centre, where Stephen Spielberg and John Williams described their extraordinary journey of collaboration in filmmaking. It was a quintessential New York week, but I'm learning it is not an unusual experience. I describe so many of my days like Melbourne weather—meaning four seasons in one day—the days are full and take you in so many different directions.
What advice would you pass on to Australian women dreaming about moving to New York to chase their dream/career/new opportunities?
Go for it! New York is a city that makes you want to strive. The sheer energy and scale of the city are extraordinary and terrific; it's rather addictive. It's a big and tough city, so finding some connections to anchor you and help you engage with it is vital, and that's where AWNY comes in.
Courtesy of Heather Ridout
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