Heaney steps down as WIP chair and patron
The Women in Print Board is actively seeking a replacement for founder and chair Susan Heaney, who is resigning as chair - after sixteen years in the role - and as Queensland patron. She will stay to assist the 2022 Breakfast Series, set to run in May.
A powerhouse of the printing industry, Founder of Women in Print, former president of Printing Industries Association of Australia and chairperson of Media Super, Heaney, who is MD of Heaney’s Performers in Print, has been instrumental in driving female leadership and development initiatives across the industry for almost two decades.
Across the sixteen years as Queensland Patron, Heaney has not only built a strong Queensland Women in Print community but also led Women in Print to profit in 2010, register as an independent entity in 2020 and move towards a rebrand and broader positioning in 2021. Now the largest attended diversity and inclusion program in the country across the print and communications industry.
According to The Real Media Collective, the search for a replacement has commenced early to allow for the incoming Patron and Heaney to work together across the 2022 Breakfast Series. Save the Date notices have been issued for the national event which will run from 5 to 12 May.
Heaney has committed to assist the incoming Queensland Patron through the 2022 Breakfast Series and the Women in Print programme plans into 2023.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my years across the print industry. As a young woman starting in the print business and learning from the ground up, there isn’t a role across my business I haven’t worked in, and I take great pride in that. I have loved every moment I have worked with Women in Print – it was desperately needed when I founded it all those years ago and I think still needed to this day,” said Heaney.
“Our industry has a lot to do across diversity and inclusion, not only across gender issues. There are many other facets to inclusivity, and we should be putting this on our agendas. I recommend to all my fellow industry peers across Queensland to please get involved and apply for the Patron role, it is a wonderful organisation to become involved in, I have grown so much across the years and met the most wonderful people to add to my network. I cannot recommend it enough.”
She said, "I have led the association to the point where it is ready for the next stage in its growth, it has a bright future."
Kellie Northwood, CEO, The Real Media Collective and executive secretary, Women in Print said, “I have had the absolute honour to work with Susan over the years, both in Women in Print and across various industry initiatives. She is intelligent, dedicated, and fair – three qualities I think are incredibly honourable in any human. To work with Susan across the industry has been a privilege and one I have personally learnt and gained so much from across my career. I wish Susan all the very best with her next journey, and hope she remains a friendly face at our future Women in Print events for many years to come.
“With the Perth border now opening, we are finalising details and will be opening tickets and confirming speaker and dates next week – a very exciting approach to this year’s speaker and all the patrons are very keen to announce – keep your eyes open for the Women in Print EDM, our network is the first to be notified. If you are not on the community list, register today via www.womeninprint.com.au,” added Northwood.
To find out more, or to apply for the Queensland Patron role email: hello@womeinprint.com.au