Australian Chapter

Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA) brings together women and gender-diverse leaders across Australia’s environmental and climate movements, supporting a national network driving bold, inclusive climate action.

Aligned with WLOC’s global mission, the Australian Chapter operates independently, with partnerships, activities and communications shaped by the priorities and context of its Australian community.

The partnership creates new opportunities to elevate Australian women’s leadership globally while strengthening collective climate action at home.

Join the Australia Chapter

Australia Chapter Co-Leads

Meet the leaders helping build connection, collaboration and momentum across Australia’s climate community.

  • Sharan Burrow

    Global advocate for human rights, ESG and just transitions

    Sharan Burrow is a global advocate for human rights, climate action and Just Transition. She is the Former General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (2010-2022. Previously she was President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (2000–2010.)

  • Victoria McKenzie-McHarg

    CEO at Women's Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA)

    Victoria McKenzie-McHarg is one of Australia’s most respected and compelling voices on the critical intersection of climate action and gender equity. With nearly twenty years’ experience in climate campaigning and strategy, she has led efforts to make Australia’s response to the climate crisis more effective, inclusive, and just.

Australia Chapter Goals

The goals of the Australian Chapter are to:

  1. Build deeper relationships among executive, senior, and influential women and gender-diverse leaders across climate, environment and Just Transitions in Australia

  2. Increase recognition of the critical role of women and gender-diverse leadership in addressing Australia’s response to our climate and environmental crisis

  3. Create space for collaboration, shared strategy, and amplification of leadership

  4. Provide a platform to elevate diverse voices in the lead-up to global events such as COP31 and beyond