Image: Professor Doug Hilton AO

Australians Investing in Women has appointed a new board member, Professor Doug Hilton AO.

Doug is the Director of WEHI, a leading Australian medical research institute; the inaugural head of the Brain Cancer Centre; and the Lorenzo and Pamela Galli Chair in Medical Biology.

For more than 10 years, Doug has overseen the expansion of WEHI, aligning its research with the most pressing health concerns of our community, making transformative discoveries for cancer, infectious and immune diseases, developmental disorders and healthy ageing. Doug has worked tirelessly to boost gender equality, inclusion and diversity within the institute.

While Doug champions fundamental science and its transformative impact on our lives, he is also a champion of gender equity, says Australian Investing in Women (AIIW) CEO, Julie Reilly OAM.

“We’re delighted to welcome Doug to our board as a strong advocate with a long track record of advancing equality and applying a gender lens to his work, says Julie.

“As a member of the Champions of Change Coalition – a national organisation that supports men to step up beside women to listen, learn and lead action in gender equality – Doug has catalysed change, forming WEHI’s first gender equity committee, establishing an on-site early learning centre, and adopting the Athena Swan Charter.”

Doug is committed to dismantling structural barriers to gender equity and diversity in science, but also more broadly in our community, earning him the title of 2020 Melburnian of the Year.

“I’m delighted to join the Australians Investing in Women Board to advance inclusion of women and girls, and drive the philanthropic, corporate and community investment that will help create a fairer and more inclusive society.

“I want to create an environment where women can contribute equally to solving the world’s greatest problems and can benefit equally from the world’s best solutions.”

Doug joins the AIIW Board, chaired by Sam Mostyn AO, at a critical time for the organisation as it leads and responds to opportunities to advance gender equity amid a growing focus on women under the new government.

“The momentum for change towards a fairer future where all women and girls have equal opportunity to thrive is gathering pace, says Sam.

“Doug’s expertise and leadership in advancing inclusion and equity will be well utilised as we elevate gender-wise giving as an essential lever to progress gender equality.”