The nuns described her as: “Bold as brass”. This might not have been a compliment, but Susan Ryan’s confidence, conviction and determination have taken her from her early convent schooldays, to being a diplomat’s wife, then into feminism and politics, and now into the world of superannuation. Indeed, Ryan was able to stand out in a male-dominated world of politics and become Labor’s first female cabinet minister in 1983.
Her impact on super started in 1993 when she took up the post of executive director of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia and continues today through her role as president of the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST).
“As the spokesperson for AIST she has given current issues from the trustee perspective a very high profile. Under her leadership AIST has continued to grow and at 10 years old, is seen as a legitimate and constructive lobby group with a well targeted member education program,” said one of those who nominated Ryan.
While not all panel members agreed with Ryan’s views, the panel saw her as being high profile and widely quoted. They also believed that AIST had been growing legs in recent years, and pointed to Ryan’s focus on corporate governance.
“Corporate governance has flourished over the past year and that’s something very near and dear to her. There is a tidal wave of corporate governance, and she has been pushing it, along with others,” said one panel member.
Throughout her life Ryan, a mother of two, has been passionate about educating people. A former Minister for Education, she helped introduce programs which vastly increased access to education. Her passion continues at AIST through its trustee education drive.
But according to her friend Mavis Robertson, what is driving Ryan lately is a new love in her life — her first grandchild.
