Expression of Interest: Finance Industry Community of Practice
JFA Purple Orange is seeking expressions of interest to join our Community of Practice (CoP) for anyone working in Finance or Professional Services.
The JFA Purple Orange Road to Employment Project supports industry to be more inclusive, build disability inclusion capability and be better equipped to employ people with disability in meaningful careers.
We have a well-established network in Finance Industry and have provided capacity building through a range of innovative strategies, educational series, partnerships and mentoring to businesses to become more inclusive and accessible employers for people with disability. Our work is co-designed and led by people with disability.
What the data tells us
- 1 in 5 people live with disability in Australia. Disability is common, is often not visible and can be acquired at any time in life.
- People with disability face a wide range of barriers to employment. Some physical, some attitudinal, and others related to non-inclusive recruitment and workplace practices.
- Businesses are looking for ways to be better equipped to operate in a disability inclusive and accessible ways but often don’t know where to start.
- Employers are missing out on the rich talent pool of qualified and skilled people ready to work, along with losing the business impact that diversity brings to business.
If you’re interested in creating change and increasing employment outcomes for people with disability, we’d love to hear from you!
What you would be doing
- CoP members help JFA Purple Orange define its work with the Finance and Professional Services Industry to be better equipped to employ people with disability.
- Provide your ideas for strategies that you would like to see in your business/industry that would strengthen disability inclusion and create barrier-free workplaces.
- Share your insights, provide thought leadership and energy to bring strategies to fruition. Use innovative approaches that drive change for businesses.
- Provide advice on best ways to promote our work to ensure it reaches the right audience and establish connections within your industry.
Who can join
Any people with a valuable perspective on how to support finance/professional services businesses to become more inclusive employers. Experience working in, or engaging with, the finance industry is highly valued.
- People with disability who are interested in supporting finance businesses to become more inclusive employers.
- We welcome anyone in any roles who has an interest and wants to drive change. For example, but not limited to leaders, specialist, finance roles, HR, recruitment, industry bodies, accountants, partner organisations etc.
What are my commitments
- Attend four meetings held over next 12 months (via Microsoft TEAMS) in August, November 2025, February, May 2026. Option to extend.
- Actively participate in meetings and work with team to implement strategies.
- Amplify the work of the Community of Practice and bring your unique perspective.
- We create a safe space to strengthen and grow your understanding through training made available to you and your business. CoP onboarding and orientation provided.
Who is involved?
- Community of Practice chaired by Daniella Biagi, Partner Business Services, BDO and Stacey Quinn, Director Corporate Consulting, Commercial and Legal.
- We partner with industry bodies, Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand (CA ANZ), CPA Australia, Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI), Disability Employment Networks etc
- Members include BDO, Moore Australia, Adelaide University, EY, CBS, Commercial and Legal, Department of Health etc.
- JFA Purple Orange, leads project management and disability inclusion capability building.
How do I get involved?
Contact Meg by email or phone (08) 8373 8388 or JFA Purple Orange, 104 Greenhill Rd Unley SA 5061 with one-two sentences on why you're interested in taking part! If you have an access need or would like to connect in any other way, we are happy to do so!
Please express your interest by COB June 27th, 2025.
Please note that due to requiring a diverse range of experiences, not everyone who expresses interest may be selected. We will reach out to you to confirm your involvement within 2 weeks.
The Road to Employment project is funded through Department of Social Services.