On 30 April in Adelaide, the Salaam Institute hosted a landmark event that pushed beyond buzzwords to address a fundamental question: what does real inclusion look like in leadership?
Held at KPMG Adelaide and titled “We’re Not a Diversity Project”, the evening featured keynote speaker Tanya Hosch, Executive General Manager of Inclusion and Social Policy at the AFL, in conversation with moderator and community advocate Tasneem Chopra OAM.
Together, they explored the deep-rooted barriers that continue to prevent Indigenous and Muslim Australians from holding leadership positions—not just in politics or sport, but across business, media, and the community sector.
Tanya Hosch, a proud Torres Strait Islander woman and one of only two women of colour in the AFL’s executive history, brought both lived experience and institutional insight to the conversation.
She spoke candidly about the limitations of performative diversity efforts and the toll that comes with being one of the few people of colour in decision-making rooms.
“This isn’t about adding colour to a brochure or a panel,” Tanya said. “It’s about power. It’s about access. And it’s about making sure that people from our communities are part of the decisions that shape our future.”
Tasneem Chopra, who moderated the conversation with warmth and clarity, echoed these themes by reflecting on the intersections of race, gender, and faith in leadership journeys.
The discussion was personal, powerful, and deeply resonant for a room full of attendees who have long felt the gaps between symbolic representation and actual influence.
Why this matters: The role of Salaam InstituteThis event was not just a standalone discussion—it is part of the broader mission of the Salaam Institute, an initiative of Salaam Group focused on research, thought leadership, and education that centres Muslim voices within the national discourse.
The Institute exists to shape conversations that matter.
Whether through public events, leadership programs, or collaborative research, Salaam Institute aims to create culturally grounded spaces where Muslims can contribute meaningfully to Australia’s future.
This includes addressing issues like financial equity, leadership development, inclusive policymaking, and representation in institutions that often overlook or marginalise diverse voices.
“We’re Not a Diversity Project” was a clear example of the kind of structural conversations Salaam Institute is committed to. It offered more than insight—it offered a mirror to existing systems and a challenge to do better.
Acknowledgements and next steps
This event was made possible with the generous support of KPMG Australia, Tender Loving Care Disability Services, Western Sydney University, Rehman Sheriff Group, Media Diversity Australia, and EHPlabs. Their backing enabled a vital space to be created for truth-telling, connection, and vision-setting.
In a time where diversity is often commodified and inclusion efforts reduced to marketing campaigns, this event served as a bold reminder: change doesn’t come from box-ticking. It comes from listening, learning, and making room for those who’ve been historically shut out.
As the Salaam Institute continues its work across Australia, events like this demonstrate the urgent need—and appetite—for more honest conversations about race, power, and belonging.
This is only the beginning.
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