Business protégé tackling inequality
head-on with UQ

Laura Stokes in an Orange Sky t-shirt. Images: Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology

When Laura Stokes became the youngest person accepted into UQ's Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in 2014, she knew her studies would give her the tools overcome the challenges of being a woman in business.

Having already brought TedXWomen to Australia at the age of 24, Stokes was on a huge upward trajectory.

Completing her MBA in 2015, aged 27, she quickly exploded onto the international business scene, taking up strategic roles at Virgin and Microsoft in London.

Stokes is now the Chief Marketing Officer for national charity Orange Sky, where she leads a team of 12 fundraisers, marketeers and sales individuals.

But her success hasn’t come without a struggle.

She remains one of many successful women fighting for equality in business and is committed to the cause like former government staffer Brittany Higgins and Australian of the Year Grace Tame.

“I think we are still a long way off equality,” Stokes said.

“This is reflected by the lack of representation at core decision making tables in politics and business, right through to a societal level with different rules for how women are treated in day-to-day life and in forums such as the media.

“I do have hope though, because more women and men than ever before are stepping up, stepping forward and acting for change.”

Illustration of many different coloured skin hands raising into a fist

Image: Adobe Stock/svetlaborovko

Image: Adobe Stock/svetlaborovko

Equality has again become a key focus after former Federal Government staffer Brittany Higgins alleged she was sexually assaulted by a colleague in Parliament House in 2019.

Grace Tame was also unexpectedly thrown into the spotlight when she campaigned to have Tasmanian laws changed so that she could publicly reveal how she was sexually assaulted by her former teacher.

These women have provided inspiration for Stokes, who wants all Australians to feel safe, be treated with respect, and create an impact, regardless of their gender.

But for that to happen, “everyone needs to do their part”, Stokes has warned.

“I’m in awe of Brittany and Grace – what incredibly strong and brave women,” Stokes said.

“The only way progress will be made is by brave individuals like these women stepping forward and us as a community standing alongside them.

“Women like Brittany and Grace are role models for anyone who wants to create change."

Australian Government statistics show men are still earning on average $25,534 a year more than women, with only a minor drop in the gender pay gap.

Meanwhile, women are still considered five times more likely to be victims of sexual assault than men.

Laura Stokes.

Laura Stokes said the MBA program gave her the knowledge about how to overcome some of the boundaries associated with being a woman in business.

Laura Stokes said the MBA program gave her the knowledge of how to overcome some of the boundaries associated with being a woman in business.

Stokes said the study she undertook during the MBA program gave her the skills to overcome challenges such as inequality and conflict.

She has encouraged other business-minded people to consider enrolling if they’re interested in taking their careers to the next level.

“My MBA experience was one of the most positive investments I could have made in my future career,” she said.

“I graduated in 2015 and, with the knowledge gained, community formed, and credentials under my belt, I was set on a pathway to progress opportunities and explore possibilities."

Of equal importance to Stokes was enrolling in a program and undertaking research that encouraged the growth of confidence in the professional world.

“I learnt to back myself further, my confidence in self grew, I was armed with the necessary methodology and critical thinking to tackle relevant business challenges, and it expanded and developed my view of the skills I needed to hone and develop for the future,” she said.

25.5k pay gap. Small drop in the gender pay gap (down 0.7pp to 20.1%). Men still take home on average $25,534 a year more than women. Down 0.7pp.

Data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency shows improvements in female representation in Australia recently. Image: WGEA/Australian Government

Data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency shows improvements in female representation in Australia recently.

Access to parental leave improves. For the first time in the sever-year dataset, over 50% of employers now offer paid primary carer's leave (up 3.0pp to 52.4%). There was also an increase in paid secondary carer's leave (up 2.6pp to 46.4%).

Data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency shows improvements in female representation in Australia recently. Image: WGEA/Australian Government

Data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency shows improvements in female representation in Australia recently. Image: WGEA/Australian Government

Women's promotions keep rising. Women now comprise 39.9% of all managers, with 44.7% of manager appointments in 2019-20 going to women.

Data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency shows improvements in female representation in Australia recently. Image: WGEA/Australian Government

Data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency shows improvements in female representation in Australia recently. Image: WGEA/Australian Government

Marginal improvement in gender balance at top levels. Female CEOs increased slightly to 18.3% (up 1.2pp) and female representation on boards increased by 1.3pp to 28.1%.

Data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency shows improvements in female representation in Australia recently. Image: WGEA/Australian Government

Data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency shows improvements in female representation in Australia recently. Image: WGEA/Australian Government

Vector graphic: seamless pattern with women of different nationalities and cultures.

Image: Adobe Stock/Nadezda Grapes

Image: Adobe Stock/Nadezda Grapes

UQ's MBA program is ranked #1 in Queensland and is among the top 50 worldwide. It has also been voted the top MBA program for student quality in the world. Anyone interested in enrolling in the MBA program can find out more here.


Laura Stokes has made waves in the Australian business world since completing the MBA program aged 27.

Laura Stokes has made waves in the Australian business world since completing the MBA program aged 27.

Laura Stokes has made waves in the Australian business world since completing the MBA program aged 27.