The Embrace Difference Council has been pared back to two workstreams, See Difference (Diversity and Inclusion) and Create Difference (Gender).
With a promise to educate, inspire and support, the ‘See Difference’ workstream will be led by Sandra Gibbs, Asahi and the ‘Create Difference’ workstream will be led by Danielle Beale, Coca-Cola Amatil and Jeremy Turnham, Lion. See Difference will provide the tools and resources to support an inclusive industry and See the Difference, while Create Difference will inspire and educate our industry to deliver an inclusive workplace; to Create a Difference and better future.
Sandra has always championed gender equity in the workplace and says, “I’m passionate about being a part of making this great beverage industry even better – everyone should have the ability to be heard and valued at work and if I can make a difference to this in the industry I love, then that’s a win for me!".
Sandra has worked in the drinks industry for more than 20 years and currently leads the Asahi Supply Oceania team – the largest beverage supply footprint in ANZ covering brewing, manufacturing, logistics, planning, quality, NPD, operational excellence, strategy and technical platforms for growth. She has led significant transformation programmes but also providing people with career opportunities and development along the way.
Sandra also sponsors that Asahi Oceania Diversity and Inclusion committee – a key driver to engaging and retaining talent within the business so she steps into her role industry leading role well-skilled and -versed in equity.
Jeremy Turnham has been a part of the Create Difference workstream for the past two years and put his had up to co-lead the workstream with Coca-Cola Amatil’s Danielle Beale when the position became available late last year. Jeremy credits his two teenage daughters as great motivators in his desire to play an active role in the Create Difference council.
"It’s incredibly exciting to be playing an active role in creating inclusion and diversity initiatives across the drinks industry," he said.
Jeremy has spent over 25 years in the beverage industry – in retail with Vintage Cellars, with wine wholesaler Fine Wine Partners, and most recently as a Customer Director with Lion Australia. Leading a team of account business managers and field sales directors, Jeremy is passionate about the development of his people, a team that currently manages more than 10,000 customers across the country in retail and on premise.