Women's Business Network: Elly Desmarchelier - March 2024

A close-up photo of disability rights advocate Elly Desmarchelier

This is a past event

The Monash Women's Business Network's March 2024 luncheon was a resounding success, drawing almost 100 local business professionals.

The sold-out event began with an opportunity for casual networking, followed by an enlightening presentation by speaker Elly Desmarchelier.

A passionate advocate for disability rights and a proud woman with a disability, Elly was the national spokesperson for the Defend Our NDIS campaign during the 2022 federal election and was a speaker at the Prime Minister’s 2022 Jobs and Skills Summit.

She highlighted the unique skills and perspectives individuals with disability bring to the workplace, which not only enhance business outcomes but also positively impact the lives of people with disabilities.

Elly urged businesses to re-evaluate their recruitment strategies to foster greater inclusivity and to broaden their talent acquisition horizons.

Expanding Horizons

This message resonated with the event's theme and tied in with the Expanding Horizons project – a collaborative initiative between the Council and Holmesglen Institute aimed at empowering organisations and SMEs to confidently recruit and retain individuals with disabilities.

Participants of the Expanding Horizons program also took the stage to share their personal experiences, adding depth to the discussion on fostering an inclusive business environment.

The Monash Women's Business Network continues to be a catalyst for change, inspiring businesses to embrace inclusivity and diversity as cornerstones of their growth and success.

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About the presenter

Elly Desmarchelierwas the national spokesperson for the Defend Our NDIS campaign during the 2022 Federal election and was a speaker at the Prime Minister’s 2022 Jobs and Skills Summit.

Elly has appeared on national TV shows such as The Project, ABC’s The Drum, Q&A and 7:30, and has featured at the Sydney Opera House for the 2023 All About Women Festival, sharing her journey on being a disabled woman in modern society.

Fuelling her advocacy, Elly is determined to create change for the 1 in 5 Australians with disability and believes that’s only possible if people with disability have a seat at the table.