About CDW

Who are we? 

CDW is a joint venture between MindTribes and Advancing Women in Business & Sport. We are determined to close the leadership cultural diversity gap in Australian business and have been operating for nearly 3 years.

During this time, we are proud that:

  • More than 300 CALD People who self-identify as culturally and linguistically diverse – includes Indigenous, Aboriginal and Torres straits Islander peoples; first and second generation migrants (Usually Non- Anglo Celtic/Saxon)* women have benefited from our Culturally Diverse Women capacity building program;
  • Of the women who have participated, more than 50% have been accepted as pro-bono or low cost participants to eliminate the financial barriers of participating;
  • Our ground-breaking research in partnership with Melbourne University “Levelling the Playing Field” has helped leaders across sectors better understand the unique challenges that culturally and linguistically diverse women face in workplaces;
  • We have coached and mentored leaders within large corporates about how to advocate and activate for greater strategic focus on cultural diversity at an organisational level.
Div discusses the genesis and purpose of her work with CDW and why it is so important.

Be part of the 2021
Culturally Diverse Workforce Awards...

Our Founders

Div Pillay

Div Pillay

Div Pillay is the CEO of MindTribes and co-founder of CDWorkforces.  She is an expert in behavioural economics and psychology that is leveraged in the diagnostics, design and delivery of all diversity and inclusion solutions, which ensures change and performance improvement.  Div is named as one of the 100 Women of Influence, 2018 (AFR & Qantas), is a Board Member at STREAT and is the National Chair of D&I, American Chamber of Commerce. In 2019, she was Awarded the Alumni Excellence Award, Monash University for her contribution to the industry.  Div holds a Masters in HRM (distinction). Div is a 2020, Telstra Business Women’s Awards, State Judge.

Michelle Redfern

Michelle Redfern

Michelle is the founder of Advancing Women. She is also the founder professional women’s network Women Who Get It and co-founder of CDW.  Michelle was named City of Melbourne B3000 Female Entrepreneur of the Year (2019), is a proud recipient of the AFR 100 Women of Influence Award (2018) and was a finalist in the VicHealth EWN Community Award (2018) for her significant contribution to women in football. She is a panel judge for the VicSport Awards and was a long-term Telstra Business Women’s Awards judge. Michelle is a Graduate of the AICD, holds an Executive MBA (Distinction) and hold various accreditations in organisational diversity and coaching.

     
Vick Pillay

Vick Pillay

Vick Pillay is the Managing Director of MindTribes and is co-founder and original idea generator of CDW. His focus is on business operations, growth pathways and strategy.  He brings this expertise and his global leadership experience across 20 years,  working in Europe, America, Africa, Asia and Australia in senior leader roles. He is multi-disciplined, having had roles in accounting, M&A, engineering, logistics and marketing in multinational corporates and  consulting companies. He is on the Board of the Australian Philippine Business Council and advisor to the Breast Cancer Network, Australia. Vick is a qualified Engineer and holds an MBA.

Our Advisors

Lillian Kikuvi

Lillian Kikuvi

Advisory Board Member, Impact & Growth Portfolio

Lilian Kikuvi uses her professional and lived experience spanning over two decades to help individuals and organisations harness the power of inclusivity. She is a highly experienced speaker, coach, facilitator and consultant who has worked with clients like Open Universities, Medibank, Western Bulldogs Australian Football League (AFL) club, Future Crunch, Melton Council, Speakers Institute and Parkville Juvenile Corrections Centre. Lilian has extensive experience working with private, public and not-for-profit sectors where she has managed complex portfolios that included medical specialists, insurers, government departments and global community networks. Lilian has supported the facilitation of CDWomen Masterclasses, coached culturally diverse women extensively to overcome their barriers and is an advocate for influencing organisations to realise the case for intersectional change in their D&I roadmaps. Lilian is committee member steering the inaugural, CDW Awards, 2021.  

Lavania Sakathevan Parker

Lavania Sakathevan Parker

Advisory Board Member, Impact & Growth Portfolio

Lavania, is a senior finance leader with a global career spanning Malaysia, UK and Australia, valued for providing strategic, operational, financial and commercial acumen to large organisations in complex industries. Born in Malaysia, of Sri Lankan Tamil heritage, she is passionate about inclusivity and is a strong advocate for improving cultural diversity in corporate Australia. Lavania is a CDWomen Masterclass Alumni (2017 cohort).  For the last 3 years, she has worked tirelessly to advocate for other culturally diverse women in her network to advance by mentoring women but also by leveraging her business case skills to influencing a case for change at executive and C-suite levels.  Lavania is a voice for intersectional diversity and a change maker.  She is also directing and leading the inaugural CDW Awards, 2021. 

Supporting Partners

We work alongside children, young people, supporters and partners to tackle root causes of the injustices facing girls and the most marginalised children.

Plan International Australia recognises the power and potential of every single child. As one of the most experienced organisations in our field we know that there is nowhere in the world where girls are treated as equals.

We work alongside children, young people, supporters and partners to tackle root causes of the injustices facing girls and the most marginalised children.

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A MIND TRIBES AND ADVANCING WOMEN INITIATIVE
Proudly Supporting
UN Sustainable Development Goals

CDW are working actively on Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequality) of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Acknowledgement to Country

At CDW, we pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia.  Representing the oldest living culture in the world, First Nations people have been the traditional custodians of this land for more than 65000 years. Australia, is the only commonwealth country that does not have a signed treaty (a formal agreement with the government and Indigenous people). We at CDW are committed to ensuring that we are inclusive of First Nation Women – we have and always will sponsor these women into our Masterclass at no charge.