P&G Australia and WEConnect provide business network, training, and mentorship for women entrepreneurs in Sydney

SYDNEY,Dec. 7,2022 -- Women business leaders from 24 Australian small and medium enterprises have graduated from the inaugural P&G Women Entrepreneurs Academy in Sydney. Held in partnership between Procter & Gamble and WEConnect International,the program provides a wide range of training and development courses on topics such as sales,communications,procurement,human resources,and leadership skills.

P&G Women Entrepreneurs Academy

The graduation ceremony was officiated by Kumar Venkatasubramanian,Managing Director P&G Australia & New Zealand,who also led the course on Leadership Skills.

"Small businesses play a critical role in Australian society,and we are passionate about helping them succeed. It was inspiring to meet the 24 women leaders of these businesses,many of whom are making a difference through their focus on gender equality,environmental sustainability,and indigenous inclusion – priorities that are closely shared by P&G Australia & New Zealand. I'm proud to see the great success of this program and look forward to seeing these inspiring women and their businesses thrive," Mr Venkatasubramanian said.

A joint survey conducted by P&G Australia and WEConnect International with responses from the 24 women business owners found that 95% of participants said it was very important to have access to a support network,coaching and training. However,only 41% currently have access to a strong network of support. 91% of participants agreed that it is challenging at times to strike a healthy balance between managing a business and having time for family,household and other passions.

Mrinalini Venkatachalam,Regional Director Southeast Asia & Oceania,WEConnect International,said that women-owned and women-led businesses are a critical source of innovation and growth in Australia:

"In many parts of the world,women-owned businesses are a significant and reliable source of innovation in global value chains,bringing new ideas,products and services into the market. It is inspiring to see the success of women-owned businesses in Australia and there is a great opportunity to strengthen the power of these female entrepreneurs."

Since its inception in 2016,P&G and WeConnect have partnered to host this Academy in 13 other markets,including Singapore,South Africa,Japan,and the US.

About Procter & Gamble

P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted,quality,leadership brands,including Always®,Ambi Pur®,Ariel®,Bounty®,Charmin®,Crest®,Dawn®,Downy®,Fairy®,Febreze®,Gain®,Gillette®,Head & Shoulders®,Lenor®,Olay®,Oral-B®,Pampers®,Pantene®,SK-II®,Tide®,Vicks®,and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands.

About WEConnect International

WEConnect International is a member-led,global non-profit that brings motivated,large corporate,multilateral and government buyers together with qualified women-owned suppliers around the world. It works with over 160 multinational buying organizations,with over $1 trillion in annual purchasing power combined,that have committed to sourcing more products and services from women-owned businesses based in over 130 countries. WEConnect International identifies,educates,registers and certifies women's business enterprises based outside of the U.S. that are at least 51% owned,managed and controlled by one or more women. WEConnect International provides certification in over 50 countries that represent over 65 percent of the world's population.

About P&G and WEConnect International's Survey

Survey was conducted by P&G and WEConnect International in October-November 2022. The survey data quoted is based on all responses received from a total of 24 respondents. All respondents were applicants in the P&G Academy for Women Entrepreneurs and represent a range of different industry sectors and business sizes.