At Flight Centre Travel Group, we’re not just ticking boxes when it comes to gender equality and fairness—we’re on a mission to ensure everyone feels they belong, can get stuck into work that matters, and has every opportunity to grow.
Empowering Women: Our Focus on Gender Equity
As a company where women make up the majority, it’s only natural for us to lead the charge on gender equity. At FCTG, we are deeply committed to creating a supportive community for women through various initiatives, and one key initiative is Womanwise.
Womanwise, established in 2015 by a group of Flight Centre's senior female leaders, plays a vital role in our efforts to build a diverse and equitable workplace. This initiative highlights opportunities and offers a platform where women can connect, share their experiences, and support each other’s growth.
By fostering open dialogue and showcasing successful role models, Womanwise helps women envision and pursue new possibilities in their careers. It’s more than just a program; it’s a vibrant community that encourages collaboration and mentorship, ensuring that every woman at FCTG receives the support she needs to thrive and advance into leadership roles.
Through Womanwise and other initiatives, we are dedicated to nurturing a workplace where women feel empowered and equipped to reach their full potential.
Rachel Alaimoana, our People and Culture Leader for Employee Experience, puts it perfectly:
"Our priority is to continually foster a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging, can engage in meaningful work, and has access to development opportunities. This involves identifying and addressing barriers, collaborating to eliminate obstacles, and driving positive economic and social impact both now and in the future throughout FCTG."
Rachel Alaimoana
People and Culture Leader for
Employee Experience
Our commitment isn’t just on paper—it’s a lived experience. Take Allisa O'Connell, our Global Head of People and Culture - Leisure, who has been with us for 36 years (and counting!). Allisa’s story is one of many that exemplify our mission to offer a brightness of future that truly fulfills. By providing the right support and tools, we empower women to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable success:
"Having worked in FCTG for 36 years, I can say that brightness of future has always been a commitment in this organisation. As a female who has moved through many businesses and roles, I have always felt I was judged on past performance and potential. This has allowed me to break barriers in my own thinking on what I'm capable of and build an amazing career path for myself as well as model what is possible for other women in our organisation. I am forever grateful for the opportunities I have had here in FCTG."
Allisa O'Connell
Global Head of People and Culture - Leisure
Adding to this, Kristill Loxton, our Global Head of People and Culture - Supply, shares her own journey:
"I read Lean In very early on in my career, and it was incredibly impactful. I've admired Sheryl Sandberg ever since, and one of my favourite quotes from her is: 'We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women’s voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored.'
I am deeply grateful to have spent over 18 years with an organisation where I have never felt restricted as a woman, both in terms of opportunities and achievements. One key lesson I've learned is that having both men and women at the decision-making table ensures a more holistic perspective and leads to the best outcomes."
Kristill Loxton
Global Head of People and Culture - Supply
Recruitment and DEI: It’s More Than Filling Seats – It’s About Shaping Futures
Our focus goes beyond recruitment; we’re devoted to placing people into an environment where they can flourish and build lasting, successful careers at FCTG.
In the EMEA region, we've seen a strong female presence in our customer-facing roles, and over the past year, we’ve kept the momentum going by bringing even more women into the fold. In the Americas, we've seen a significant increase in the percentage of women in Assistant Team Leader roles, rising from 61% to 74% in just one year, as well as an increase in women in Senior Leader roles, from 50% to 63% in Canada.
These are just two examples of our broader, global focus. Across all regions, we have been committed to increasing the percentage of women in senior leadership roles. By prioritising gender equity and actively supporting women’s advancement, we are creating a leadership landscape that better reflects the diversity and talent within our organisation.
As Roxanne Gonsalves, People and Culture Leader for South Africa and EMEA Talent Acquisition Lead, says:
"We are dedicated to creating new opportunities and ensuring that every woman who joins our team has the tools, support, and environment she needs to thrive. Together, we are not just filling positions; we are shaping futures and driving meaningful change in the workplace."
Roxanne Gonsalves
People and Culture Leader for South Africa
and EMEA Talent Acquisition Lead
And let’s not forget our vision for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). We’re all about working together to knock down barriers to equity.
A prime example of this effort is our Gender Equity Employee Resource Group (ERG) activity in the USA and Canada. This group is dedicated to improving gender equity across FCTG Americas—impacting our people, customers, and communities. The ERG is open to all advocates for gender equality, including women, gender-expansive people, and men, truly embodying the collaborative spirit that drives our journey toward equity.
Our ERGs are central to our DEI vision and are crucial in fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion. For instance, the Gender Equity ERG has spearheaded initiatives such as the "Toot Your Own Horn" program, a self-promotion and interview skills development initiative, and community-focused events like the Clothing Swap and Donation Drive, which also tie into our commitment to environmental justice.
Emese Graham, our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager for the Americas, sums it up perfectly:
"I believe it’s imperative to consider not only building inclusion and belonging, but who is being left out entirely. I think the future of women’s equality looks to the margins. Until all of us are experiencing the same opportunities and privileges, no matter our race, disability, neurotype, sexuality, faith, and socioeconomic background, we still have work to do."
Emese Graham
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager,
Americas.
In a Nutshell
At FCTG, we’re committed to creating a future where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our exceptional leaders and teams, we’re continuously breaking down barriers and paving the way for a brighter future for all.
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