Pictured above: Sandy Aspinall, Lisa Blachut and Kellie Northwood, who are stepping down from their roles at Women in Print
Sandy Aspinall, Lisa Blachut and Kellie Northwood have announced they will step down to make way for the next generation of Board Officers for diversity and inclusivity association, Women in Print.
Since registering as an independent entity, Women in Print has been operating under a constitution that prioritises its purpose and a commitment to board rotation and evolution.
Women in Print outgoing SA Patron and managing director of Creative Juice SA Recruitment Sandy Aspinall said, “I have enjoyed every minute of sitting on the Women in Print Board; however, we must ensure that the thinking is shared, and new ideas are brought into the Women in Print community to continue its growth.
“As a long-standing member of the printing industry over the years and SA Patron since 2017, I will definitely miss being involved at the Patron and Board level, however, I remain an avid supporter of Women in Print and whilst no longer the SA Patron, I will still be involved and part of the community.”
Women in Print underwent a rebrand, independent registration and released a new strategic plan in 2020 under a secretariat arrangement with the then The Real Media Collective, this was extended into the Print & Visual Communication Association (PVCA), which continues to this day.
Women in Print honorary secretary and PVCA chief executive officer Kellie Northwood added, “Whilst I am stepping down from the honorary secretary role, the association will maintain its involvement in managing the secretariat.
“It is important for our industry to build positive communities and support for women across the industry as well as building access to upskilling or development programs. How we focus on attracting women into the industry is important as our workforce evolves into a stronger gender equity environment.”
For the first time, the new board will include an independent Board Officer recruited through Women on Boards.
Women in Print sees this as an opportunity for the industry to take learnings from outside the print and communications landscape and further develop the association’s purpose.
Women in Print outgoing WA patron and Advance Press account director Lisa Blachut added, “I have been the WA Patron for almost seven years, it has been fantastic to be part of the community and build a strong network. Watching the evolution of the organisation over the past three years has been wonderful to see, and I step back from the Patron role with great confidence to the new appointments and incoming skills.
“I will, of course, remain active in the WIP community and continue to drive the important messages of gender equity and gender equality for the women across the industry.”
The new Patron roles are open for applications. To learn more or become involved in Women in Print, please register by emailing hello@womeninprint.com.au.
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