A Pearl Beach resident has been recognised for her significant service to women in business with an AM in this year’s Australia Day honours list.
Dr Denise Chasmar Fleming was credited for her work in a variety of leadership roles that aimed to provide support and career assistance to women.
Fleming said she was excited about being nominated and hoped it would help promote other women to the ranks in future years.
“It’s a very humbling issue … the women who I know, who have been honoured, have done a lot more than I have,” Fleming said.
“To join the ranks of those women, I’m very honoured.
“I’m very focused on equality in all things – my nomination to be a Member of the Order of Australia might help get the female numbers up.”
From Director of NSW’s Adult and Community Education department to the Chairman of the Special Olympics from 1996-2003, Fleming has held a variety of roles throughout her illustrious career.
And as a foundation member of Chief Executive Women since 1989, Fleming said she has consistently focused on fighting on issues of equality.
“Equality is not only gender; my career has focused on trying to get equality to others – women, the LGBTI community …” Fleming said.
“In this role, we were instrumental in funding scholarships for women in business to further their education.
“Education to me is a critical issue, and the opportunity (for) education is critical.
“It’s very important that people have access to these spaces.”
The Founder and Managing Director of Foresight Management Group has also had experience organising the Australian Maritime Safety Authority board and with the Department of Primary Industry and Energy in the 1990s.
However, Fleming said that even when women reach these roles of power, the discrimination does not stop.
“Inequality hasn’t diminished that much unfortunately,” Fleming said.
“When you sit around the board table, one of the most common comments women make at the executive level is that they’re not heard.
“We don’t have power – and to get it, we have to take it.
“And people who have power don’t want to give it up.”
Fleming also received the Centenary Medal in 2001 and the Australian Sports Medal in 2000.
Maisy Rae