After a global search, long-standing Minderoo leader Jacqueline Joudo Larsen commenced as Minderoo’s new Gender Equality Executive Director at the beginning of this year.
Now, the philanthropic organisation is deep in strategy mode assessing its vision for supporting communities, gender & equality and oceans. This is part of the 2030 Strategy, launched last year to champion change in these areas of focus.
A pivotal step in this process was Larsen’s appointment as she leads the team to increase its presence and investment in Australia’s gender equality space, with a particular focus on women’s equal voice and agency.
“Jacqui is a force for good when it comes to embedding meaningful change,” said Minderoo Foundation CEO John Hartman.
“Her work has helped breakdown many harmful social norms and systems, empowering women and girls world over to reach their full potential.”
Ten years ago, Larsen joined Minderoo to work alongside Grace Forrest and build Walk Free into the global modern slavery, freedom and equality movement it is today.
With ten years at the Australian Institute of Criminology as well, Larsen’s career is built on a foundation of social justice and human rights experience, with a particular interest in vulnerability and resilience to drive policy change.
Describing her leadership style as “compassionate and progressive”, Hartman says Larsen is “a tenacious leader that we are proud to have at the helm of our gender equality focus”.
The foundation views women and girls as critical to Australia’s prosperity and future sustainability– a belief that’s reflected in Minderoo’s vision for ‘a society that values all people and natural ecosystems’ through the dismantling of systems that hold inequalities in place.
Some of their most recent gender equality investments are detailed in the 2023 Annual Report. This includes more on Minderoo’s USD$100m partnership with global philanthropic collaborative Co-Impact and Walk Free’s most recent Global Slavery Index.
“In line with our values, we are eager to approach the toughest, most persistent equality issues with humility, integrity, courage and determination,” said Hartman. “We look forward to working in partnership with those who share our passion as we collectively seek to create a fairer future for all.”