Fiona Ellis-Jones, Head of News & Information at Australian Radio Network (ARN), has been awarded the 2024 Maureen Kerridge AM Scholarship.

Ellis-Jones, who leads a large team of journalists across ARN's network, including KIIS, Gold, Mix, CADA, ARN Regional, and iHeartRadio, applied for the scholarship to further develop her leadership skills and adapt new news distribution strategies for the digital era.

As part of the scholarship, Ellis-Jones will attend the Executive Leadership Development Program at Stanford University. With over 15 years of experience in the media industry, Ellis-Jones has held roles as a national newsreader for ABC TV and Radio, head of ABC's Radio/Audio News division, and a producer and reporter for Nine News Sydney. She is also a committed ambassador for the Red Nose Foundation, supporting bereaved parents and advocating to reduce stillbirth in Australia.

"I’m so grateful for the chance to study this course at Stanford, honouring Maureen Kerridge’s remarkable legacy and empowering more women to excel in leadership roles within the media industry. I’m excited to gain new perspectives, discover more about my leadership style, and make a meaningful impact on the future of news media in Australia," said Ellis-Jones.

The Maureen Kerridge AM Scholarship is awarded to mid to senior women leaders in advertising, media, and television, in memory of CEW Member Maureen Kerridge AM. Kerridge was the first woman to run an Australian television network, Seven, and the first female CEO of a free-to-air television network globally.

"As a busy mother of four young children, I quite simply wouldn’t have had the opportunity to invest in my own development in this way without the support of CEW and the Kerridge Foundation," Ellis-Jones added.

Chief Executive Women (CEW) has been influencing and engaging all levels of Australian business and government since 1985 to remove barriers to women's progression and ensure equal opportunity.