Partnerships that make a difference – Hesta

31 July 2018

At YWCA Canberra, we are fortunate to have built strong partnerships with organisations that support gender equality and women’s leadership. HESTA are the She Leads Program Partner for 2018, and we had a chat to Sharon Bruzga to find out just what HESTA do and why our partnership is so special.

What does HESTA do?

We’re a specialist industry super fund dedicated to people who provide some of the best health and community services in the world.

With more than 850,000 members and $46 billion invested globally on their behalf, we’ve learned a thing or two about looking after our members.

We speak up for others. We stand alongside our partners and members, advocating for a super system that better caters for people working in your sector. And, more broadly, women and First Australians.

As an industry super fund we work for members – not shareholders. We keep our fees down, costs low, and provide commission-free advice. It’s all part of the service. That way more money stays in our members’ super accounts working for their future.

Tell us about yourself and your role at HESTA?

I am the HESTA Client Partnership manager for NSW /ACT responsible for consolidating and further developing relationships with Employers, associations and unions to retain and increase market share within the health and community services sectors.

In my free time you will find me at the Gym or out in the beautiful sunshine.

I also love to travel around this beautiful country of ours, we are very lucky to have so much beauty at our doorstep.

I am also a single mum to 4 beautiful young women so they can keep my life pretty busy!

Achieving gender equality in society means something different to everybody; what does it mean to HESTA?

HESTA was the first industry super fund dedicated to a female-dominated industry. More than 80% of HESTA members are women. And although some inroads have been made, we’re still a long way from achieving    gender equality in Australia.

Not only are women often paid less but they tend to take breaks from the workforce to care for family, which means they inevitably end up with less money in retirement. We want to change that. So we’re working with the government to make sure women can retire as comfortably as men. We also help to build our members’ financial resilience.

And we walk the talk. HESTA is an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality. Our CEO, CIO and Board Chair are women as well as key Executives across the business. As one of Australia’s largest investors, we aim to use our influence to bring more gender balance to the companies we invest in and work with.

Why has HESTA partnered with the She Leads Conference?

We are delighted to be able to partner with the She leads Conference 2018 particularly as

Hesta membership is still 80% female based and anyway we can support and educate our female members

to encourage and achieve better outcomes for their future we will are delighted to be part of.

The theme of the Conference is Rise: We grow powerful by lifting each other. Why is it important for women to provide support to each other at all levels of the workforce and across all areas of life?

I think it is the greatest gift you can give.

If women are kind to each other, support and share their own work and life experiences then the world will be a much better place for all of us.

What part of the Conference are you most looking forward to?

All the wonderful speakers, I can’t wait to be inspired and motivated by all of them, and of course the networking evening is always a great way to meet new people

Tags: empowerment, feminism, gender equality, inspiration, Leadership, Partnerships, she leads, She Leads Conference, women leaders, Women's leadership