The AVPI, together with Founding Partner, RMIT University Vietnam was thrilled to host RMIT Chancellor, Peggy O'Neal AO, on campus in Hanoi last week for a panel discussion on women's economic empowerment.
As Chair of the Victorian Commonwealth Games 2026, and former President of the Richmond Football Club (2013-2022), Peggy has had a long and distinguished career as an accomplished business leader and strong advocate for gender equality. She is on the board of the Women’s Housing Ltd. and was a member of Victoria’s Ministerial Council on Women’s Equality from 2017-2020.
This is a joint event between RMIT Vietnam and the Australia Vietnam Policy Institute (AVPI) as a platform for RMIT’s Chancellor Peggy O’Neal AO to connect with other influential leaders in Hanoi, share her experiences leading in traditionally male-dominated sectors, also to connect with RMIT Hanoi’s staff, students and the broader community through media engagement. In addition, the panel provided an opportunity to leverage her expertise and knowledge to drive thought leadership around gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, in alignment with RMIT’s focus on regional impact and sustainable development as articulated in the Knowledge with Action Strategy to 2031.
Peggy was joined on the panel by Binh Le Vandekerckove, Founder & Managing Director, ASART Deal Advisory and Loi Hoang Ung, Brand Director for Procter & Gamble Vietnam to share their experiences leading in male-dominated fields, reflect on lessons learnt from their careers, and discuss the critical importance of women’s economic empowerment for a sustainable future, and the role education plays in that.
Moderated by Urica Lopez, Director, School of English & University Pathways, RMIT Vietnam, the conversation on gender equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and female empowerment was an insightful and impactful conversation for RMIT staff and students to participate in.