PART I THE CURRENT STATE OF DEI 1. What is DEI? 2. Backlash against DEI 3. Why is this happening? 4. What the law in Australia requires 5. What history teaches us 6. Resetting for the future PART II THE BARRIERS AND BACKLASH 7. Gender 8. Sexual harassment 9. LGBTQIA+ 10. Disability 11. Neurodiversity 12. Race 13. First Nations 14. Age 15. Social class 16. Intersecting intersectionality 17. Return on investment PART III RISE UP 18. Resist silence and regression 19. Invest in strategy, culture and communication 20. Strengthen DEI through accountability 21. Elicit a call to action
Biography
Fay Calderone is an award-winning employment lawyer and partner at a leading Australian law firm, with over 20 years’ experience advising employers and leaders. Renowned for her practical, human-centred approach, Fay has shaped policies, led transformative projects and delivered training to foster safe, inclusive workplaces. She empowers leaders to move beyond compliance and create cultures where every employee feels valued and psychologically safe.
"A book for our time. With Rise Up Fay Calderone delivers a clear call to action for modern leaders, with practical evidence-based strategies, to resist backlash to DEI and lead with courage, empathy and clarity." Kate Jenkins AO, Former Australian Sex Discrimination, Commissioner; Chair, Australian Sports, Commission; President, Australian, Red Cross and Chair, Creative, Workplaces Council
"Rise Up: A Guide to Leading with Inclusion is a timely and necessary call out to leaders. Fay Calderone brings her experience and expertise to make a clear, concise and persuasive case for diversity, equity and inclusion. Fay provides an overview of the relevant legal requirements with very practical tips to enable leaders and managers implement DEI in an authentic and sustainable way." Kate Eastman SC, Commissioner NSW Law Reform Commission; Senior Counsel Assisting Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
