Real Talk on.... Diversity & Inclusion

Real Talk on Diversity & Inclusion.

“We become not a melting pot, but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.” - Jimmy Carter

Diversity is not only about what background a person comes from but all the factors that influence a person’s experience of the world. These factors, whether visible or invisible, are what contribute to making them the unique individual that they are e.g. gender, appearance, religious beliefs, age, sexual orientation, political beliefs, disabilities, profession etc. 

As human beings, it’s our responsibility to immerse ourselves in the experiences of others and celebrate them, whoever that may be. We stand to benefit both as individuals and as a global society if we can learn to live and respect people who are different from us. Sadly we seem to still have a long way to go.

Too many people have been denied their rights or not treated equally because of other groups that considered themselves to be more superior in one way or another whether consciously or not. Atrocities committed because of a lack of trust and understanding, and an unwillingness to learn from. 

When we get over the misunderstandings and the division caused we create space for beneficial alliances and mutual co-operation to take place. If we can do that, we’ll open the doorway for more tolerance, respect, and even love while also diminishing the presence of hate, intolerance, and discrimination.

Join us for Real Talk on Diversity & Inclusion where we’ll hear from Guest speakers Lisa Cox, Cathy Ngo, Lilian Kikuvi and Lizzy Kuoth. We thank these four incredible women for sharing their own powerful stories and offering us actionable insights, helping empower us to access the benefits of diversity and inclusion, paving a better future for us all.

Lisa Cox

Lisa Cox is an award-winning writer, author, presenter, female changemaker, motivator, and mentor who is passionate about creating #VisibilityForDisability and changing the way disability is represented in mainstream popular culture. But rather than just hoping or simply tweeting for change, Lisa is a vocal advocate who is actively creating real change by collaborating with peak bodies, groups, and individuals who share her vision.

Changing social attitudes, stopping stereotypes, and altering the narrative around disability is what fuels Lisa’s mission to muse, educate, challenge convention, and create tangible change in the way disability is represented in mainstream popular culture.

Her work has been published nationally and internationally for publications like Harper's Bazaar,  The Sydney Morning Herald, and Huff Post.

Cathy Ngo

Cathy Ngo is an editor, writer, and presenter specialising in human resources and communications. She spent the majority of her corporate HR career, rolling out change programs for top ASX listed companies.

Cathy is passionate about ensuring a balanced representation at work and beyond. She draws from her own background and shares a compelling story of why we should all care. She is also the founder of Keynoteworthy. To stay silent, Cathy believes is to agree with the status quo. Change for the better happens when we take action. Keynoteworthy is about taking action. Outside of work, Cathy loves to do open-mics, stand-up comedy, collect indoor plants and think about her next project to change the world.

Lilian Kikuvi

Lilian Kikuvi is a Diversity and Inclusion Evangelist and is obsessed with helping individuals and organisations harness the extraordinary power of diversity and inclusion. Lilian is a Kenyan-Australian who uses an African tribal framework to super charge the gift of diversity and inclusion in people and businesses. Lilian achieves this through inspiring keynote presentations, empowering workshops,
coaching and consultation services. Living as a culturally diverse woman in Australia for over two decades, Lilian has discovered incredible barriers and opportunities in diversity and inclusion that have a significant impact on individuals and businesses. This fuels her purpose to create meaningful change
so that all of humanity can be equal beneficiaries of equity, inclusion, and harmony.

Lizzy Kuoth

At the end of 2002, Lizzy Kuoth was just 11 years of age and escaping war-torn South Sudan with her grandmother, younger siblings and cousin, seeking safety as a refugee in Egypt. Like many South Sudanese people, the civil war forced them to leave their home country. Her grandmother Nyaluak Hoth risked everything for a better life. Like most of the non-English speaking refugee background, Lizzy was met with challenges upon her arrived in 2005, from not speaking the language to feelings of isolation because she didn’t know how
to fit in. However, things slowly started to change as she went into volunteering and started to immerse herself into giving back and surrounding herself with different people from different communities advocating for social justice. She realised that community service was providing her with an outlet that she didn’t know was possible.
Lizzy currently serves as a member of the Community Ambassador city of Monash, Refugee Week Ambassador and she has been selected as a member of the Metropolitan Partnerships Inner South East region board member. In past, she has served as a founding member of Young people leadership group
at Youth Links, city of Greater Dandenong and City of Monash youth advisory committee, Youth Advocate for the South Sudanese Association Victoria and was a member for the Victorian Multicultural Commission Regional Advisory Council.

Fifteen years on the story of her journey from teenage refugee to Empowering Monash Women Award recipient in 2012. Lizzy Kuoth has worked as a consultant for the state government, St Francis Xavier Collage and as well as a community organiser for the Australian Multicultural Foundation- advocating
for women, children and families marginalised by poverty, mental illness, disability and social isolation. Lizzy Kuoth recently join LXRP as the Industry Inclusion and Capability Officer. Also studying Business Economic major at Swinburne University, Lizzy says she is fortunate to have met people in
her life who have guided and supported her in a positive way.

Event Disclaimer

The content provided at this event is of the nature of general comment only, and does not represent professional advice. It is not intended to provide specific guidance for particular circumstances, rather provide a perspective and personal opinion from our speakers.

You should consider seeking independent expert advice to assist with your own unique circumstances.