Grace is among 18 young women selected in the Country to Canberra Leadership Competition. As part of the competition, Grace will travel to Canberra to meet with federal ministers, take part in mentoring sessions and attend question time in Parliament.

The St John’s College student said she believed everyone should have the same opportunities, regardless of their gender. The Power Trip would be a prefect way for her to voice her opinions, Grace said.

“It is 2018, however the fact that there are more Andrews in leading ASX 200 companies as CEOs than there are women is concerning as they make up 50 per cent of our population,” she said.

“Personally, I believe appointing women in leadership roles is fundamental to breaking the gap between men and women, as well as creating influential role models for the next generations.”

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Grace said she head about the opportunity through a friend who sent her the flyer knowing Grace was passionate about gender equality.

“It wasn’t until I researched about it that I realised how much of amazing opportunity was right in front of me and by entering the competition, what did I have to lose?” she said.

The ‘Power Trip’ to Canberra will be held from November 24 to 28. To be chosen for the trip Grace had to submit a video entry that addressed the question ‘life is a road trip with twists and turns. How can we support one another to navigate the road to gender equality?’.

Grace said she was hoping to meet like-minded people who shared the same passions and interests as her during the Power Trip. She said she was also looking forward to networking with federal ministers and undertaking the leadership programs.

Women had worked tirelessly for decades to bridge the gap between the genders, Grace said. However the race was far from done.

“It is my generations’ job to continue to strive towards equality and employ women in leadership roles so one day there are more women leading ASX 200 companies than there are Andrews,” Grace said.

Country to Canberra is a nationwide not-for-profit empowering young and rural women to reach their leadership potential by building their skills and networks.