2015 Speakers
Robert Agati
Company Secretary & Head of Corporate Governance, HSBC Bank Australia Limited
Full Bio
Michael Bellemore
Partnerships and Sponsorship Manager, Out for Australia
Full bio
Nicole Brennan
Executive Manager, RBS Productivity, Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Full bio
Ryan Burke
Executive Manager, Group Diversity & Inclusion, Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
Full bio
Duc Dau
Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Western Australia
Full bio
Damian Hannan
Training Coordinator, ACON
Full bio
Bianca Janovic
Solicitor, Herbert Smith Freehills
Full bio
Althea MacKenzie
State Manager, National Safe Schools Coalition
Full bio
Patrick Medd
Asia Pacific Advisory Learning & Development Leader, EY
Full bio
Darryl O’Donnell
Principal of Policy and Development, ACON
Full bio
Leonore Ryan
Intrapreneur and Technology Commercialisation Specialist, CSIRO
Full bio
Ishwar Singh
Workplace Education & Relationship Manager, Pride in Diversity
Full bio
Melissa Tandy
Global Chair, ANZ Pride Network, ANZ
Full bio
Anthony Venn-Brown
CEO, Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International
Full bio
Jennifer Williams
CEO, Australian Red Cross Blood Service
Full bio
Glen Aiton
Business Manager, UBank
Full bio
Georgina Brown
Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Herbert Smith Freehills
Full bio
Jen Chen
NSW State Director, Out for Australia
Full bio
JoAnna Ferrari
Founder and CEO, Visions n’ Goals Coaching
Full bio
Georgie Harman
CEO, beyondblue
Full bio
Chris Ladds
Manager, Accenture
Full bio
Laura McLaren
Solicitor, Herbert Smith Freehills
Full bio
Leanne Mills
HR Manager, Key Assets
Full bio
Heather Price
CEO, Symmetra
Full bio
Suzi Russell-Gilford
Partner, PwC
Full bio
Kevin St Mart
Workplace Engagement Manager
Full bio
Claire Tenzer
Group Business Director, Whybin/TBWA
Full bio
Brydon Wang
Technology and Infrastructure Lawyer, Allens
Full bio
Masakazu Yanagisawa
Director, Head of Global Prime Finance Sales, Deutsche Bank
Full bio
Craig Andrade
Partner, Baker & McKenzie
Full bio
Daniel Bone
CEO / Publisher, Star Observer
Full bio
Matt Buck
Business Engagement Leader, ANZ Pride Network
Full bio
Helen Conway
Full bio
Dr Paula Gerber
Associate Professor, Monash Law School
Full bio
Dawn Hough
Director, Pride in Diversity and ACON Training & Consulting
Full bio
Sean Linkson
Chairman and CEO, Pinnacle Foundation
Full bio
Fiona Maley
Marketing and Research Coordinator at the School of Population Health, The University of Western Australia
Full bio
Ben Mulcahy
Managing Director, Pink Media
Full bio
Andy Pullar
Consultant, Suncorp
Full bio
Todd Sears
Founder and Principal, Out Leadership
Full bio
Michael Stevens
Programme Director of the Rainbow Tick, New Zealand
Full bio
Roxanne / Bobby J Thomson
Student Adviser, Deakin University
Full bio
Ross Wetherbee
Workplace Education & Relationship Manager, Pride in Diversity
Full bio
Matthew Yeldham
CEO, Out for Australia
Full bio
Moo Baulch
CEO, Domestic Violence NSW
Full bio
Dameyon Bonson
Founder, Black Rainbow Living
Full bio
Jason Burubu
Commercial Manager, Construction & Design Office, Lendlease
Full bio
Vicky Coumbe
Manager of Training and Engagement, ACON
Full bio
Emily Gornalle
Graduate, National Australia Bank
Full bio
Britt Jacobsen
Senior Manager, Inclusion & Diversity, Westpac Group
Full bio
Simon Lynch
Executive Manager Organisational Development & Change, CSIRO
Full bio
Paul Martin
Organisational Development Psychologist, Assure Programs
Full bio
Fern Ngai
CEO Community Business Hong Kong
Full bio
Andrew Purchas
Founder, Sydney Convicts Rugby Club| President, Bingham Cup Sydney 2014 | Vice President, International Gay Rugby
Full bio
Lukas Sigut
Diversity Consultant, Australian National University (ANU)
Full bio
Lin Surch
Workplace Education & Relationship Manager, Pride in Diversity
Full bio
Sam Turner
Chair of GLOBAL, Westpac Group
Full bio
Mike Whalley
Contract Manager, Accenture
Full bio
Speaker Bios
Robert Agati , Company Secretary & Head of Corporate Governance, HSBC Bank Australia Limited
Robert joined the HSBC Group in London in 2010 before taking up appointment as Company Secretary for HSBC Bank Australia in 2011, responsible for all corporate governance related matters. As a member of the Asia Pacific Company Secretaries EXCO, Robert has oversight responsibility for governance arrangements for a number of Group entities across the Region. Prior to joining HSBC, he held a number of regulatory and corporate governance-related roles for JPMorgan Asset Management, Ansbacher & Co Private Bank and the London Stock Exchange.
Robert is Chair of HSBC PRIDE Network Australia and serves on the executive as Vice President for Positive Life NSW Inc., a not-for-profit community organisation which works to eliminate prejudice, isolation, stigmatisation and discrimination of people living with or affected by HIV. Robert was civil partnered in the UK in 2007 with his long-term partner of 12 years.
Glen Aiton, Business Manager, UBank
Glen Aiton is currently Chief Operating Officer at UBank prior to which he was the Head of Diversity & Inclusion for the NAB Group. In that role he was accountable for the creation and execution of the diversity & inclusion strategy and associated policy. This role included meeting external regulatory requirements and liaising with external bodies, as well as ensuring a focus and shift in the culture to one of inclusion.
Glen has a wealth of experience in the financial services industry in disciplines including lending, sales, finance, change management, operations and people.
For the past three years Glen has been the chair of Pride@NAB, the NAB Group’s LGBTI employee network, where he has made huge inroads in building a more inclusive and safe workplace culture with specific emphasis on LGBTI employees.
Craig Andrade, Partner, Baker & McKenzie
Craig Andrade is a partner in the Sydney office of Baker & McKenzie where he advises on private equity, public M&A, and equity capital markets transactions. He has practiced for more than 20 years in New York, London, South Africa and Australia and is recognised as a leading Australian capital markets lawyer and private equity lawyer in Chambers Asia Pacific. He has been recognised since 2011 as a leading Australian capital markets lawyer in the Asia Pacific Legal 500 and International Who’s Who Legal.
Moo Baulch, CEO, Domestic Violence NSW
Moo Baulch is chief executive of Domestic Violence NSW, the state peak body for specialist domestic and family violence (DFV) services. She is part of a small team that works to improve policy and practice responses to women, children and communities impacted by violence and is particularly passionate about service and policy responses to LGBTIQ people and Aboriginal Family Violence.
Moo’s worked in the NGO sector in Australia, South East Asia, the UK and Spain and has been working on policy inclusion in the area of LGBTIQ access to domestic violence service provision since the late 90s.
Moo believes that public awareness of DFV is at an unprecedented level and that cross-sector and community partnerships are key to the cultural and practical changes required for inclusive support. She looks forward when children in schools are taught about the intersections between discrimination, transphobia, violence and healthy respectful relationships.
Michael Bellemore, Partnerships and Sponsorship Manager, Out for Australia
Michael is Out for Australia’s Partnerships and Sponsorship Manager and is responsible for connecting OFA’s partners, sponsors and key stakeholders with their network of LGBTIQ+ students and ensuring they live up to students’ expectations. Michael is a consultant at PwC in Private Clients and has also worked with the firm’s Campus Recruitment and Firm Leadership teams. As the National Coordinator of PwC’s LGBTIQ+ and ally network, GLEE@PwC, he assisted in producing PwC’s 2015 submission for the Australian Workplace Equality Index. Michael is a Business graduate from the University of Technology, Sydney, and delivered various programs as part of ACON’s Young Gay Men’s Project throughout his time at university.
Mike Bellemore, Consultant, PwC
Michael works in Private Clients Assurance at PwC and is the National Coordinator for the firm’s LGBTI+ allies employee network; GLEE@PwC. He assisted in producing PwC’s 2015 Australian Workplace Equality Index submission, has helped establish GLEE@PwC in PwC’s Brisbane and Perth offices and has provided guidance to other organisations getting started on their LGBTI inclusion journey. Outside of work, Michael is the Partnerships and Sponsorship Manager at LGBTI charity, Out for Australia, which provides a mentoring program to LGBTI university students and young professionals. During his time at university, Michael also delivered various programs as part of ACON’s Young Gay Men’s Project.
Daniel Bone, CEO / Publisher, Star Observer
Daniel has been CEO/Publisher of Star Observer for two years, prior to this he was chairman of the Star Observer Board for 6 years. Daniel was chair of Mardi Gras Fair Day before joining Star Observer and has worked with a broad range of LGBTI community organisations over the past 10 years.
Daniel has a background in entrepreneurial business leadership and has enjoyed leadership roles in businesses large and small since founding his first company soon after he arrived in Australia in 1994.
Dameyon Bonson, Founder, Black Rainbow Living
Dameyon Bonson, a Mangarayi and Torres Strait Islander man, is a Kimberely based consultant. His expertise includes Indigenous suicide prevention, Diversity into Consciousness seminars and strategising Male health engagement. In 2013, Dameyon founded Black Rainbow Living Well for Indigenous LGBTI Suicide Prevention and Wellbeing. He is also National Advisory Committee member for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project. Dameyon’s other work includes seminars to allow for Healing from LGBTIphobia for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. He is currently undertaking a research project funded by Movemember that looks at reducing mental health stigma through digital means.
Nicole Brennan, Executive Manager, RBS Productivity, Commonwealth Bank of Australia
I am the Executive Manager of Retail Banking Services Productivity at the Commonwealth Bank, where I focus on driving a sustainable productivity culture and capability within RBS through projects, coaching and training to deliver better outcomes for our customers and our business. Working in an organisation where I know that I can not only bring my whole self to work, but am encouraged to do so, is a career highlight for me. The Commonwealth Bank values the diversity of its employees and works very hard to ensure that the culture that is fostered is inclusive and authentic. By focusing on celebrating our employees diverse backgrounds, such as my sexual orientation and gender expression, our organization is striving to develop and deliver quality products and services that match the diversity of our customer base, a mirror of our diverse nation.
Georgina Brown, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Herbert Smith Freehills
Georgina is the Head of Diversity and Inclusion for Herbert Smith Freehills in Australia and Asia. She has led the diversity and inclusion function in Australia for the last 5 years. Prior to that she was a Senior Associate in the disputes group of the firm. Georgina is passionate about originating and implementing ideas designed to foster an inclusive workplace that values the diversity of its people. She was instrumental in designing and launching the LGBTI network in Australia, following the merger of Freehills and Herbert Smith in 2012.
Matt Buck, Business Engagement Leader, ANZ Pride Network
Matt has been with ANZ for 11 years with roles across Corporate Bank, Product, International Marketing and is currently the Business Development Manager for Small Business Banking. In addition to this, Matt has been part of the ANZ Mardi Gras Committee for 10 years, the last 5 as Co-Chair. Matt was part of the team who developed the ANZ Pride Charter in 2013 and was Australian Lead for the refreshed ANZ Pride Network in 2014. Matt supports the ANZ Global Pride Network as Business Engagement Lead to help embed the ANZ Pride Network across the bank through senior stakeholder engagement.
Jason Burubu, Commercial Manager, Construction & Design Office, Lendlease
Jason Burubu is the Commercial Manager at Lendlease’s Construction & Design Office for the construction of the proposed Crown Sydney Hotel Resort currently under NSW planning assessment. He is also the PID LGBTI Inclusion Champion 2015 for his work in relation to the LGBTI construction-site network pilot. Jason is part of the Lendlease LGBTI Employee Representative Group. He views workplace LGBTI inclusion as one of the best ways to activate LGBTI inclusion across the community. He advocates strongly for organisations to work collectively in order to transform negative attitudes towards LGBTI people, and create genuine, inspiring LGBTI role models, especially for young LGBTI employees. He holds a Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Combined Bachelor Arts / Law and a Masters in Law by thesis which focused on the constitutionality of the Commonwealth Marriage Amendment Act.
Ryan Burke, Executive Manager, Group Diversity & Inclusion, Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Ryan is the Executive Manager of Group Diversity & Inclusion at the Commonwealth Bank, and has been instrumental in developing the Group’s new 3 year Diversity & Inclusion Strategy. Over the past 15 years, Ryan has held roles in a range of HR disciplines and industries, and prior to Commonwealth Bank he was the Manager of Diversity & Inclusion at KPMG. Ryan am energised and intrigued by the intersection of identity and inclusion and its impact on employee engagement, productivity and business outcomes.
Jen Chen, NSW State Director, Out for Australia
Jen Chen is the NSW State Director of Out for Australia and leads NSW based initiatives across OFA’s National Mentoring Program, Women’s Program and Networking & Events Program. Jen keeps busy with a number of other community and university roles including sitting on UNSW Australia’s Student Representative Council, researching and advocating for the LGBTIQ+ University Guide and volunteering at the Inner City Legal Centre. Jen is currently working with PwC’s legal team whilst completing her combined Commerce/Law degree at UNSW Australia.
Helen Conway
Helen works with not-for-profits to improve their data processes including collection, storage, management and analysis. Her focus is on ensuring that data are readily available to enable evidence-based decision-making and to feed into program evaluations in order to drive continuous service delivery improvement. Her work spans a number of industries, including health, the environment, tourism, and agriculture.
Helen recently worked at ACON to design and implement a new monitoring and evaluation framework, introduce new reporting processes, and implement a client database. Helen was also an ACON board member from 2013-2015. Helen is currently project managing the implementation of a CRM system at The Wilderness Society.
This is the second year that Helen has analysed the Pride in Diversity employee survey data. She is excited to see the year-on-year increase in participation, providing a broader and richer picture of perspectives and experiences.
Vicky Coumbe, Manager of Training and Engagement, ACON
Vicky Coumbe is ACON’s Manager of Training and Engagement. ACON is New South Wales’ leading health promotion organisation specialising in HIV and LGBTI health. She has worked for ACON for over eight years in a variety of roles. Vicky has a background in allied health across a range of roles and sectors. Vicky and her team were involved in the development of the material for the National LGBTI Inclusivity Training for the Aged Care Sector initiative and the implementation of ACON’s Living Older Visibly and Engaged (LOVE) project, which seeks to engage and empower LGBTI seniors to be proactive about healthy ageing. She is keen to promote LGBTI inclusion across all sectors of service provision to ensure equal access without barriers for all of our community members.
Duc Dau, postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Western Australia
Duc Dau is a postdoctoral research fellow in English and Cultural Studies at the University of Western Australia. She specialises, among other things, in queer literature and is the co-editor of Queer Victorian Families: Curious Relations in Literature (Routledge, 2015). Her position is funded by the Australian Research Council. Duc is also heavily involved in LGBTI advocacy on campus, as a member of the UWA LGBTI-Inclusion Working Party and as a founder and coordinator of UWA BTW, a social group connecting bisexual/pansexual/non-monosexual students, staff, and alumni. She is regularly invited to talk on campus about LGBTI issues in general and bisexuality in particular; has recently secured funding from the UWA Alumni Fund to assess the current climate for LGBTI students at UWA and make recommendations for strengthening inclusion; and is Co-Chair of the newly-formed WA Pinnacle Working Party, which aims to improve access to tertiary education by marginalised and disadvantaged LGBTI students.
JoAnna Ferrari, Founder and CEO, Visions n’ Goals Coaching
JoAnna Ferrari is the Founder & CEO of Visions n’ Goals Coaching. She is a highly skilled Sales Performance Strategist with 15+ years of experience. Improving team and individual performance is what she considers amongst her best skillset.
Having always been successful in anything JoAnna has put her mind to; she courageously stepped out and resiliently weathered transitioning her gender over the last two years. She defines her transition as “Gender Euphoria”. This process has been a gift that has added to her already incredible arsenal when it comes to teaching and encouraging others to fully express who they are and live an authentic life.
Some companies that JoAnna has previously or is currently working with are PwC, Westpac, the Australian Federal Police [AFP], Pride In Diversity, Salesforce, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association [SGLBA] and Out For Australia.
Dr Paula Gerber, Associate Professor, Monash Law School
Dr Paula Gerber has been a lawyer for over 25 years. She spent five years working as a solicitor in London, and five years as an attorney in Los Angeles before returning to Australia where she worked for Mallesons (now King & Wood Mallesons) and later became a partner at Maddocks.
In 2000, Paula embarked on a major career change; moving from private practice to academia. She is now an Associate Professor at Monash University Law School and Deputy Director of the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law.
She is a leading expert on protecting and promoting the rights of LGBTI persons, and has written numerous articles and book chapters on issues relating to persons of diverse genders and sexualities. She is currently editing a 3-volume research series entitled Worldwide Perspectives on Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals, to be published by Praeger Press in the US next year. She is also a regular media commentator on LGBTI issues, such as marriage equality and the expungement of convictions for gay sex from the days when it was a crime.
Dr Gerber was a former member of the Board of the Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and is currently President of the Kaleidoscope Human Rights Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation committed to achieving equality and dignity for LGBTI persons in the Asia-Pacific region.
Emily Gornalle, Graduate, National Australia Bank
By day, Emily Gornalle is a NAB Graduate, but by night… she’s a volunteer for VICSES and Girl Geek Academy in addition to her advocacy.
Interested in Corporate Social Responsibility and using the power of an organisation to drive change, Emily’s particular passion for Asexuality is driven by her identification with the orientation. Though there are no current support groups or structures to give Asexuality a coherent voice in Australia, she hopes to start a not-for-profit with a friend to provide resources and education to the general public. In the meantime, she writes articles and speaks at events to spread awareness.
Emily has a self-identified and unapologetic interest in technology, design, science, and the internet and can be found on twitter as @Subsequent and on LinkedIn under her full name.
She signs herself up to too many things and hopes one day to speak at a TED event.
Damian Hannan, Training Coordinator, ACON
Damian is ACON’s Training Coordinator. ACON is New South Wales’ leading health promotion organisation specialising in HIV and LGBTI health. He has worked at ACON for eight years across several ACON projects including managing complex clients at ACON’s Positive Living Centre, as part of ACON’s Housing project and managing ACON’s Community Support Network. Damian is an experienced trainer with an avid interest in the lived experience of LGBTI people and raising the visibility of inclusive practise across all communities more broadly. He has collaborated and co-authored the national LGBTI Aged Care Inclusivity Training and the LGBTI Inclusivity Training for the Disability Sector and the recently authored the LGBTI Inclusion training package for ACON Training and Consulting division. He continues to facilitate and develop training programs that encompasses inclusive practise for LGBTI people.
Georgie Harman, CEO, beyondblue
Georgie was appointed as the CEO of beyondblue in May 2014.
Georgie has worked in the community, public and private sectors in Australia and the United Kingdom in policy development and service delivery.
Previously, she was the Deputy CEO of Australia’s National Mental Health Commission.
From 2006-2012, Georgie was a senior executive at the Commonwealth Department of Health where she had national responsibility for mental health, suicide prevention and substance misuse policy and programs. She was one of the architects of the 2011 National Mental Health Reform Budget package. At the same time, she was responsible for the strategy and development of legislation to introduce plain packaging of tobacco products in Australia – a world first. Before that Georgie led national reforms to lift Australia’s organ and tissue donation and transplantation rates.
From 2003-2006 she was a member of the executive team at the Northern Territory Department of Health and Community Services.
She came to Australia in 1999 as the Executive Director for the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation in Sydney – Australia’s first and largest independent HIV/AIDS charity.
Luke Hastings, Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills
Luke Hastings is a partner in the Dispute Resolution team and has been with Herbert Smith Freehills for more than 25 years. Apart from being a highly sought after commercial litigator, Luke has been a strong and vocal supporter of the firm’s LGBTI Network since its inception. As a straight male ally, Luke will share his experience and insights about what men can do to promote greater inclusion of LBT women.
Dawn Hough, Director, Pride in Diversity and ACON Training & Consulting
Dawn Hough has over 20 years’ experience in Organisational Development, Learning and HR. Prior to taking on the Director role for Pride in Diversity, Dawn headed up the Diversity function at ING Australia. In this role Dawn’s most significant contributions included the introduction of executive diversity plans, targets & accountabilities, High Performance Women network, flexible work practices and most prominently ING’s Gay and Lesbian Network (GALA) – one of the most successful and fastest growing LGBTI networks at that time.
Previously at INGA, Dawn was responsible for Organisational Development, Talent Management, Learning & Development, Leadership Development, Employee Engagement, Culture and Wellbeing. Prior to INGA Dawn ran her own boutique consultancy for over 13 years specialising in Leadership Development, Culture, Change and Organisational Development. During this time Dawn presented Management programs for several high profile training organisations, and personal clients across Australia, Singapore and the UK.
Dawn’s qualifications include B.Ed (Adult Ed), Masters in Cognitive Science (UNSW) and four years doctoral research at UNSW (Cognitive Psychology). Dawn is also accredited in several behaviourial instruments including MBTI, DiSC, TMS, NLP and has received industry recognition as a professional speaker (NSAA). Dawn worked for several years as a part-time lecturer in Post Graduate Adult Ed and is a sought after speaker on LGBTI Workplace Inclusion at conferences both nationally and abroad.
During her time at Pride in Diversity, Dawn has authored three workplace publications, contributed significantly to the development of the Australian Workplace Equality Index and produced annually the Pride in Practice LGBTI Workplace Conference.
Britt Jacobsen, Senior Manager, Inclusion & Diversity, Westpac Group
Britt Jacobsen is a Senior Manager, Inclusion and Diversity and works across the Westpac Group to design and embed Diversity programs. Britt has experience working across diversity streams including LGBTI inclusion, Age Diversity, Cultural Diversity and Flexible working. Britt’s background is in human resource management and she holds a Business degree in Human Resource Management and a Master’s degree in Commerce (Workforce Sustainability).
Britt is a passionate ally of the LGBTI community, having championed LGBTI-inclusive policies and initiatives in various organisations, and working closely with the GLOBAL Employee Action Group. Fairness is one of her key personal values, which is she has made fairness and equality in the workplace central to her career.
Bianca Janovic, Solicitor, Herbert Smith Freehills
Bianca Janovic is a solicitor in the Dispute Resolution team at Herbert Smith Freehills. Bianca co-chair the firm’s LGBTI Network in Brisbane and is passionate about fostering an environment where all staff are comfortable and proud to bring their whole self to work. As a successful ‘out’ lesbian woman, Bianca has been instrumental in the growth of the firm’s LGBTI Network across Australia. Bianca has facilitated a number of LGBTI initiatives at HSF and beyond, including the fascinating ‘Stand up: Stories of LBT role models’ panel event earlier this year, which was co-hosted with Sapphire and streamed to HSF offices across the globe.
Chris Ladds, Manager, Accenture
Chris Ladds is a Manager with Accenture Australia with a background in Healthcare management and delivery in the UK and Australia. Chris leads External Engagement in the PrideAtAccenture team based out of Sydney. Accenture’s PrideAtAccenture network is part of a global network bringing together 100s of passionate, driven and focused LGBTIQ employees and Allies working within Accenture and our cities across the globe to driving inclusion and equality in the workplace. Chris brings his passion for networking and fostering relationships to bring companies, teams and groups together to benefit our community.
Sean Linkson, Chairman and CEO, Pinnacle Foundation
By night, Sean Linkson is Chairman and CEO of the The Pinnacle Foundation, a national charity he co-founded six years ago that provides scholarships and mentoring to marginalised LGBTIQ youth. By day, he is Managing Director of Allegis Partners, the executive search division of the world’s largest privately-owned human capital company, the US$13b Allegis Group. In reality the two roles have quite similar outputs. In the day job he helps get leaders and board directors into an environment where they can excel, grow and contribute. At Pinnacle he helps 16-24 year olds crushed by bigotry and hatred get an education, reclaim their self-esteem and do great things with their lives.
Sean spent his early career in the construction industry before becoming an investment banker and ultimately a head-hunter. He has always had an interest in human potentiality which for most of us, he believes, is nurtured largely in our the work environments. As good D&I practice proves, people who bring their whole selves to work are more productive, more fulfilled and ultimately contribute more. But how often does D&I policy have a positive social impact outside the organisation? Can good D&I policy save lives? Sean suggests it can.
Simon Lynch, Executive Manager Organisational Development & Change, CSIRO
Simon is a co-convenor of the GLBTI@CSIRO Staff Network, founded in 2013. In this role Simon leads and supports the development of the Network and its inclusion in the CSIRO Diversity & Inclusion Strategy; representing the Network with senior management (including Enterprise Agreement Negotiations) and supporting local Network activities.
Simon is an experienced Change Manager, leading large scale and complex organisational changes during his 10 years with CSIRO. Prior to CSIRO Simon held senior operational roles with the Victorian Government and also in the private sector. Simon is an accredited PROSCI change management trainer, and holds further qualifications in Sociology, including having recently completed a PhD on the topic of Social Capital.
Althea MacKenzie, State Manager, National Safe Schools Coalition
I have worked for over 20 years in the not for profit sector driven by a passion for social justice. A post-grad counselling degree provided the basis for working with homeless young people at Twenty10 gay and lesbian youth service, which led to an interest in developing and delivering community and professional education to address the barriers faced by young GLBTI people. I went on to manage teams providing professional, community and peer education in NSW, gaining qualifications in training and assessing along the way.
I coordinated the NSW Department of Education funded project ‘Proud Schools’ in 2012-13, and I am now the state manager for the National Safe Schools Coalition program delivered through the state partner Family Planning NSW. We seek to improve safety and inclusivity for same sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse students, their families and teachers, while taking a zero-tolerance approach to homophobia and transphobia in the school community.
Laura McLaren, Solicitor, Herbert Smith Freehills
Laura McLaren is a solicitor in the Dispute Resolution team at Herbert Smith Freehills. Laura co-chair the firm’s LGBTI Network in Sydney and is passionate about fostering an environment where all staff are comfortable and proud to bring their whole self to work. As a successful ‘out’ lesbian woman, Laura has been instrumental in the growth of the firm’s LGBTI Network across Australia. Laura has facilitated a number of LGBTI initiatives at HSF and beyond, including the fascinating ‘Stand up: Stories of LBT role models’ panel event earlier this year, which was co-hosted with Sapphire and streamed to HSF offices across the globe.
Fiona Maley, Marketing and Research Coordinator at the School of Population Health, The University of Western Australia
Fiona Maley is a marketing and research coordinator at the School of Population Health at The University of Western Australia. She did her BSc in botany and zoology, which explains her fondness for Alfred Kinsey and his research into human variation, and her MBA at UWA. She has a long working history at UWA, having worked in various research roles in agriculture, microbiology and human health and more recently in marketing the school’s courses and research. Fiona is also involved in LGBTIQ advocacy on campus as a facilitator of the UWA Ally program workshops, a member of the UWA LGBTI-Inclusion Working Party and a co-founder and coordinator of UWA BTW, the social group connecting bisexual/pansexual/non-monosexual students, staff and alumni.
Paul Martin, Organisational Development Psychologist, Assure Programs
Paul Martin is a psychologist with a history of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex mental health for over 25 years. His passion has been to make a positive difference to these populations through influencing individuals, families, organisations and society. This has included training mental health professionals, lobbying MPs, Attorney’s General and the Prime Minister and appearing in documentaries, news programs and writing for magazines and chapters in books. His focus on inclusion and diversity is now in the context of organisational consulting where he develops and facilitates programs on various aspects of LGBTI issues in the workplace.
Patrick Medd, Asia Pacific Advisory Learning & Development Leader, EY
Patrick Medd has been innovating, inspiring, motivating and leading learning and development across Europe and Asia Pacific for over 24 years. Patrick has also been responsible for driving EY’s national LGBTIA network – Unity to what it is today. Patrick is the Chair of EY’s internal LGBTIA committee and has played a key role in invigorating the network across Oceania and Asia Pacific.
He has been instrumental in engaging support of senior leaders and from the organisation to support various initiatives and external groups. Most recently, EY Australia became the proud sponsor of the Sydney Convicts – one of the highest profile community sporting groups in Australia, which is a leader in promoting inclusion and tolerance in the sporting environment. Patrick was responsible for engaging innovative methods to gain sponsorship in order to leverage the power of external high performing teams, such as the Sydney Convicts to generate diversity and innovation through collective viewpoints and experiences.
Leanne Mills, HR Manager, Key Assets
Leanne is an experienced HR professional with over 10 years’ experience working in various HR roles in the retail sector and not-for-profit organisations in Australia. In her current role as the HR Manager for Key Assets – The Children’s Services Provider in Australasia Leanne is responsible for driving diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Since commencing with Key Assets in January 2014 Leanne has completed two AWEI submissions and this year was instrumental in the work done by Key Assets which saw them ranked 22nd on the index and recognised as Small Employer of the Year. She has also assisted Key Assets parent company, The Core Assets Group with their successful Stonewall submissions in 2014 and 2015.
The challenge of LGBTI inclusion within Key Assets is not one of culture, but of low employee headcount and large geographical footprint. Leanne has drawn on her past experience of working with remote sites to think differently about the development and establishment of network groups and events.
Leanne is a passionate LGBTI Ally and firmly believes in fairness and equity for everyone both in and out of the workplace.
Ben Mulcahy, Managing Director, Pink Media
Ben Mulcahy is Managing Director of Pink Media Group, Australia’s LGBT media specialists. Representing over 50 media and sponsorship opportunities Pink Media Group connects brands LGBTI community across the largest LGBTI magazines, websites, radio stations, events, venues and social media networks. Ben will share Pink Media insights into the media consumption habits and mindsets of Australian LGBT’s.
Fern Ngai, CEO, Community Business Hong Kong
Fern Ngai is CEO of Community Business, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing responsible and inclusive business practices in Asia.
With over a decade of experience impacting positive change in the business sector and wider community, Community Business has an established reputation as a thought leader and trusted partner in corporate social responsibility and diversity and inclusion. Community Business conducts research, facilitates networks and events, leads campaigns and provides consultancy and training. Headquartered in Hong Kong with a presence in India and the United Kingdom, Community Business works with companies of all sizes and from diverse industries across Asia, harnessing the power of business to drive social change.
Under Fern’s leadership, Community Business has expanded its products and services, established a subsidiary in India, and has launched the Hong Kong LGBT Workplace Inclusion Index, a pioneering benchmark for workplace inclusion practices and initiatives for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender employees.
Fern has over 30 years of broad experience in financial services, change management, and in workplace diversity and community programmes. She held leadership roles in the human resources, technology and operations, governance, and corporate affairs functions at Standard Chartered Bank and was its diversity and inclusion champion for Hong Kong.
Heather Price, CEO, Symmetra
Recognised as a leader in shaping the strategic vision of organisations across the globe on diversity and inclusion, Heather established Symmetra in the Asia Pacific region in 2003.This was effected after a decade of guiding organisations across South Africa on the dismantling of apartheid through her diversity consulting company Mandate Molefi.
Heather has numerous publications to her name, has presented at international conferences in the USA, Italy, Australia, South Africa, Puerto Rico and Singapore, was nominated to sit on the Expert Panel which ratifies the Global Diversity and Inclusion Benchmark Tool™ in 2006, 2011 and 2015 and was a finalist of the Telstra Business Women of the Year in New South Wales, Australia in 2011.
Symmetra provides a global consulting service to numerous blue chip clients in both the private and public sector on embedding an inclusive workplace culture. Utilising unique tools, process and content designed by Symmetra’s highly skilled multidisciplinary team, Heather’s team of experts conduct diagnostics, advise on D & I best practice, policy & strategy, and facilitate cutting edge and innovative learning and development solutions.
Heather is engaged regularly to work locally and internationally with the C-suite on the Business imperative of Diversity & Inclusion, on Counteracting Unconscious Bias in the workplace, on Leading Diverse and Dispersed teams, and on Embedding Psychological Safety. She is a highly sought after public speaker and renowned to keep large audiences in the palm of her hand for many hours.
Heather’s work has been instrumental in positioning organisations to leverage diversity of thought to optimise business performance and innovation, providing them with a sustainable competitive advantage in the global marketplace.
Andy Pullar, Consultant, Suncorp
Andy joined Suncorp in 2008 as Andrea, a shy 18 year old with no experience outside of fast food. He soon discovered his passion for customer service and his confidence working in a team. Over the last seven years he has built relationships and gained the trust of insurance advisors, brokers, business managers and clients across Australia to provide the best results. Within the Suncorp group he has moved between AMP General Insurance, GIO and Resilium handling home, car and business insurance. In May 2015 Andy came out as a trans man with the help of Pride In Diversity, and is very proud to represent Suncorp. Outside of business hours you will find him watching, playing, officiating, administrating, talking or thinking about American football and the Melbourne University Gridiron Club.
Andrew Purchas, Founder, Sydney Convicts Rugby Club| President, Bingham Cup Sydney 2014 | Vice President, International Gay Rugby
Andrew has over 15 years of experience as a senior executive in the legal, financial services industries as a senior associate with Corrs Chambers Westgarth and Chief Security Officer for Westpac Banking Corporation. He is currently Project Director with National Information Communication Technology Australia. Andrew has been a director or ACON since 2006 and ACON’s Vice President since 2008. Andrew has had a long involvement with sports. He is founder of the Sydney Convicts Rugby Club, President of the Bingham Cup Sydney 2014 and Vice President of the International Gay Rugby. Andrew led the Bingham Cup’s initiatives to eliminate homophobia in sport and campaigned strongly for all sporting organisations to seriously engage in activities to make sports available to all regardless of sexuality.
Leonore Ryan, Intrapreneur and Technology Commercialisation Specialist, CSIRO
Leonore Ryan is a co-convenor of the GLBTI@CSIRO Staff Network, which she co-founded in 2013. In this role Leonore is responsible for leading the development of the Network Strategy and its inclusion in the CSIRO Diversity & Inclusion Strategy, representing the Network within CSIRO in committees and in meetings with senior management (including Enterprise Agreement Negotiations) and maintaining the Network wiki.
Leonore has over 10 years’ experience in Technology Commercialisation and is currently pursuing a Cardiac Rehab start up opportunity through the CSIRO technology accelerator “AcceleratiON”. Leonore holds qualifications in project management, change management, science, apparel manufacturing, adult education and an MBA.
Suzi Russell-Gilford, Partner, PwC
Suzi has 20 years experience advising multinationals on cross-border GST and international trade matters. Suzi’s industry focus is the technology sector. Most recently, Suzi has been involved with Treasury, the Australian Taxation Office and multinationals in consulting on the design of the 2017 digital GST changes in Australia.
Suzi is also the Executive Sponsor of PwC’s LGBTI + ally employee network GLEE@PwC, an Out for Australia mentor, assisted behind the scene with the set-up of BUMP IVF and is a Director of Stillbirth Foundation Australia.
Todd Sears, Founder and Principal, Out Leadership
Todd Sears is the Founder and Principal of Out Leadership, a recognized global strategic advising firm that connects leaders across the world’s most influential industries to create business opportunities, cultivate talent, and drive LGBT equality forward.
Out Leadership began with 6 founding member firms in 2011, and now counts 63 of the world’s leading companies as members. Out Leadership operates two industry-specific business initiatives: Out on the Street and Out in Law, and two cross-industry talent initiatives for LGBT leaders: OutNEXT, the first global leadership development program for the next generation of LGBT talent, and Quorum, which seeks to increase LGBT representation on corporate boards.
A former investment banker, Todd specialized in wealth management at Merrill Lynch, creating the first national team of financial advisors on Wall Street focused on the LGBT community, which brought over $1.4 billion of new assets to the firm.
Todd then moved into diversity leadership, pioneering diversity initiatives at Merrill Lynch and then at Credit Suisse, where he served as Americas Head of Diversity and Inclusion. Both organizations continue to be ranked among the top companies in the Fortune 500 by diversity organizations including Working Mother, Black MBA, and the Human Rights Campaign.
Todd works closely with senior leaders across industries to build business opportunity through diversity innovation. He regularly speaks at conferences and meetings around the globe to share this vision.
A graduate of Duke Universit y and Woodberry Forrest School, Todd is also an active philanthropist and community leader. He is the founding co-chair of Jeffrey Fashion Cares, a fundraiser supporting LGBT civil rights, youth and HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, which has applied an innovative cost-structure to raise millions of dollars since its inception.
Todd is a senior advisor to Christopher Street Financial. He also serves on the non-profit boards of The Williams Institute of UCLA, The Palette Fund, and Lambda Legal. In 2014 he received Aid for AIDS International’s My Hero Award.
Lukas Sigut, Diversity Consultant, Australian National University (ANU)
Lukas Sigut is the staff Diversity Consultant with the ANU, Australia’s world university. In his current role he is responsible for developing and coordinating equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives across all diversity groups amongst the university community of 4000 staff. At the ANU, Lukas is also co-sponsoring the revised ANQ staff network (LGBTIQ), and is a member of the Ally Steering Group.
Recently, Lukas was a Senior HR Advisor with the CSIRO Agriculture Flagship. In this role he also had a diversity portfolio, and was involved in co-founding and co-representing the GLBTI@CSIRO Staff Network. He has experience in human resources management, policy and workplace relations, workforce planning, project management, and training facilitation. Lukas holds tertiary qualifications in psychology, behavioural science, international affairs and a masters in law.
Ishwar Singh, Workplace Education & Relationship Manager, Pride in Diversity
Ishwar Singh started his professional career as a lawyer at an international law firm, Allens. He has acted for some of the world’s leading companies and has a unique insight into the business operations of some of Australia’s leading employers across a variety of industries and sectors. He has also helped to defend and advance the rights of a number of disadvantaged groups, including homeless and indigenous communities.
Before joining Pride in Diversity, Ishwar played a lead role in Allens’ LGBTI network (ALLin). He created a strategic plan for the network, was heavily involved in client engagement and the firm’s very public support for marriage equality as well as compiling the firm’s first ever submission to receive a ranking on the Australian Workplace Equality Index (the AWEI). These efforts culminated in Allens being recognised as the highest ranking law firm for LGBTI inclusion on the AWEI in 2015.
Ishwar is very passionate about working toward true diversity in all aspects of society and is particularly interested in the experience people have in the workplace, recognising it as one of the most important institutions to which most people belong. As a Workplace Education & Relationship Manager at Pride in Diversity, Ishwar works with member organisations to start or progress their journey toward a working environment that is truly LGBTI inclusive and embedding best practice in this area into the fabric of those organisations. He delivers training in LGBTI awareness to a variety of audiences including senior leaders, assists HR teams with policy review and provides ongoing strategic support to assist with the roll-out of organisation-wide LGBTI inclusion initiatives.
Kevin St Mart, Workplace Engagement Manager, beyondblue
Kevin is a Workplace Engagement Manager at beyondblue who is responsible for engaging with Australian workplaces, workplace leaders, business owners and key workplace stakeholders for the purpose of promoting and creating mentally healthy workplaces. Kevin has 17 years’ experience in the Health and Safety industry having previously worked for the Federal Health and Safety Regulator Comcare, where he worked closely with employers to promote and implement workplace mental health programs. Kevin has had 5 years in a team leader role managing both project and operational staff in injury management positions and has educational qualifications are in Business and Injury Management.
Michael Stevens, Programme Director of the Rainbow Tick, New Zealand
Michael is the founding Programme Director of the Rainbow Tick, New Zealand’s only LGBTTI workplace Diversity and Inclusion programme. He has a long history of involvement with New Zealand’s Rainbow communities in various capacities including time as Chair of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation and as a social commentator. He has been involved in adult education and training most of his working life in New Zealand and abroad. Michael has been an invited speaker at a number of conferences and is a published author on the topics of human sexuality, social change, well-being, and public health.
Lin Surch, Workplace Education & Relationship Manager, Pride in Diversity
Lin Surch has over 15 years experience in Banking and Financial Services, with experience in Employee Engagement, Workplace Education and Training, Communications, Contact Centres, Dispute Resolution and Employee Networks and is an experienced facilitator and trainer in LGBTI workplace inclusion.
Prior to joining the Pride in Diversity Team, Lin was responsible for developing and delivering the roll-out of the highly successful LGBTI inclusive training across The Westpac Group as part of her role in the education and training sector of the GLOBAL Executive Committee. This involved facilitating focus groups, implementing feedback, tailoring and presenting training sessions to the Group’s CEO, Executive Team, HR Leadership Teams and People Leaders. Lin was also a key driver in the strategic development and sustainability of the employee network group.
Articulate, passionate about change, and dedicated to diversity; a pivotal part of her role includes managing stakeholder expectations and cultivating engagement at all levels. In the classroom, she has a warm and approachable presence with the innate ability to impart complex concepts in an easy to understand format to the level of her audience.
Lins’ role as Workplace Education & Relationship Manager oversees her portfolio of member organisations in the private sector and the following industry groups: Banking and Financial Services, Professional Services, Consulting & IT Services, Technology, Legal Services & Law Firms, Telecommunications, FMCG, Consumer and Online Services.
Lin meets with potential, new and current members to plan their strategy, implement charters, and presents to senior executives. She facilitates roundtables, training and awareness sessions, and works with member organisations in an ongoing capacity to provide best practice advice and assist in all aspects of LGBTI workplace inclusion.
Lin is also the Convenor of Sapphire, a Pride in Diversity initiative for lesbian, bisexual and transgender women in the workplace.
Melissa Tandy, Global Chair, ANZ Pride Network, ANZ
A proven senior manager with success across the banking and finance industry, including strategy, operations, sales, and risk. Melissa is specifically skilled at implementing a fundamental shift across the business; developing the strategic direction, implementing the change agenda, and embedding a sustainable culture. Melissa is an energetic and collaborative leader, focused on delivering successful business outcomes.
Claire Tenzer, Group Business Director, Whybin/TBWA
Claire is the Group Business Director on the ANZ business at advertising agency Whybin\TBWA Group. Claire has worked in the advertising industry for over 11 years working on some of both England and Australia’s largest brands including BP, John West, PZ Cussons, Dr. Oetker, Mercedes-Benz, Fonterra and MLC. Claire is passionate about the strength of imagination and original ideas and their power to solve business problems. Claire’s career highlights include the 2014 GAYTM campaign for ANZ Bank collecting the Grand Prix for Outdoor and six other Lions at the 2014 Cannes Festival.
Roxanne / Bobby J Thomson, Student Adviser, Deakin University
My name is Roxanne/Bobby J Thomson and I am a gender fluid person, a poet and a beach lover.
I am also highly passionate about my job working with students at Deakin University, Victoria.
I am a strong believer in equality for all and am a social justice and GLBTIQ community advocate.
I believe everybody has a story to tell and our job as GLBTIQ community members and/or Allies is to listen to this story and see what it is we can do for them to make them feel that who they are is worthy and 100% normal.
Sam Turner, Chair of GLOBAL, Westpac Group
Sam Turner is the Chair of GLOBAL, Westpac Employee Action Group for LGBTI Diversity, and is an active member of the LGBTI Community, having recently stepped down as Chair of Women’s Committee for Mardi Gras. She is passionate about equality and believes that everyone has the right to feel comfortable and included in work-life conversations and culture, and that organisations have a responsibility to foster an inclusive environment.
Sam has been with the Westpac Group for just over a year, and commenced her current role of Business Manager for NSW Regional & ACT Retail Banking in January 2015. She is responsible for operations, compliance, sales performance, and business planning across 109 branches and over 800 employees. Prior to this she held various roles at NAB and Deloitte, including Head of Business Improvement, Senior Manager Consulting, and Strategic HR Partner for Business Banking.
Anthony Venn-Brown, CEO, Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International
Anthony Venn-Brown was a popular preacher in the mega-churches of Australia. His bestselling autobiography ‘A Life of Unlearning’ details his 22 years attempting to change his homosexuality through counselling, prayer, exorcisms, ‘ex-gay’ programs and 16 years of marriage. Anthony is now a respected community leader and was twice voted one of the 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians as well as one of four finalists for the 2011 ACON Community Hero Award. He is the co-founder of Freedom 2 b[e], Australia’s leading organisation for LGBTI people from Christian backgrounds. Currently he is the founder and CEO of Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International. Anthony has presented at conferences in Asia, USA and UK and provided training in Australia for community and religious organisations. Since 2000, Anthony has also worked extensively, one on one, with individuals seeking resolution of faith and/or their sexuality.
Brydon Wang, Technology and Infrastructure Lawyer, Allens
Brydon Wang is a technology and infrastructure lawyer with Allens, the highest-ranked law firm for LGBTI-inclusion on the AWEI in 2015. He was a national Finalist in the 2014 Australian Law Awards.
As a key member of ALLin, Allens’ LGBTI network, he has been instrumental in shaping the network’s strategy and action plan for the coming year. He recently organised a client event celebrating rainbow families that was aimed at helping LGBTI employees navigate the regulatory landscape around surrogacy and IVF. Brydon and his partner, Nic, recently welcomed their first child.
Brydon is passionate about advancing Diversity in the workplace. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Brydon worked in procurement and construction project delivery in both public and private sectors. He was a Project Manager with the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia, and then a Contracts Administrator in a number of leading construction firms. While in Perth, he was a speaker at the OEEO (now Equal Opportunity Commission) forum on Diversity and Inclusion in the public sector.
Ross Wetherbee, Workplace Education & Relationship Manager, Pride in Diversity
Ross Wetherbee has over 10 years’ experience in HR, Talent, Organisational Development and Learning facilitation. Prior to joining Pride in Diversity he lead Macquarie Bank’s LGBTI Employee Network Group, allsorts, overseeing strategy development, LGBTI awareness & inclusion training, AWEI submission and community group engagement. He has a passion for developing engaged, high-performing and inclusive organisational cultures and enjoys helping people & organisations grow and develop.
Ross’ role as Workplace Education & Relationship Manager oversees his portfolio of member organisations in the public sector and the following industry groups: Local, State and Federal Government departments, Tertiary Education institutions, Healthcare, Mining Resources and Energy, Oil & Gas, FMCG, Sporting Organisations and Not-for-profit & Community Groups.
Ross meets with potential, new and current members to plan their strategy, implement charters, and present to senior executives. He facilitates member roundtables, training and awareness sessions, and works with member organisations in an ongoing capacity to provide best-practice advice and assist in all aspects of LGBTI workplace inclusion.
Jennifer Williams, CEO, Australian Red Cross Blood Service
Jennifer is currently the Chief Executive of Australian Red Cross Blood Service which is a not-for-profit national organisation with 5 main manufacturing centres and 100 donor blood collection centres across Australia and responsible for the collection of blood, the testing and manufacturing of blood and blood products and the distribution to hospitals around the country. She commenced this role in April 2009.
Prior to that Jennifer was the Chief Executive of Alfred Health for 5 years and before that, Chief Executive, Austin Health for 7 years.
Jennifer has extensive experience in the health sector, having previously been a Director in the Department of Human Services, Victorian Government and prior to that other senior management positions in the public and private sectors.
Mike Whalley, Contract Manager, Accenture
Mike is a member of the Legal team at Accenture, and has been with the firm for nine years. In his day-to-day role, Mike focuses on Contract Management for Accenture’s Insurance practice in Australia and New Zealand, as well as supporting global Insurance accounts. Mike has worked across the world during his time with Accenture, and was involved in LGBT advocacy in both the UK and the US prior to his move to Australia. He was also a member of Accenture’s Global LGBT Network from 2008-2010, which included the management and execution of a US-wide LGBT Leadership Training program, and attending the Out & Equal Conferences in Orlando and Los Angeles. Mike currently leads the PrideAtAccenture Program in Australia/New Zealand and is keen to help drive improved practices from across the globe both in Australia, and in our business across Asia Pacific. Outside work, Mike is part of the Mardi Gras Fair Day team, is a member of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir, and can be found training for triathlons in any remaining spare time.
Masakazu Yanagisawa, Director, Head of Global Prime Finance Sales , Deutsche Bank
Masakazu Yanagisawa currently heads up the Global Prime Finance Sales within its Global Markets division in Japan and Capital Introduction for APAC region at Deutsche Bank Group. He started his career at Merrill Lynch, where he worked in London until 2006. After returning to Japan, he has been involved in hedge fund related businesses. He is the board member of International School of Asia in Karuizawa (ISAK) and Human Right Watch Tokyo committee. He graduated from the School of Policy Management at Keio University.
Matthew Yeldham, CEO, Out for Australia
Matthew is the CEO of Out for Australia – an organisation that seeks to support and mentor Australia’s aspiring LGBTIQ+ professionals as they navigate their way through the early stages of their career. Matthew also currently works as a policy and legal assistant to the NSW Deputy President in the Legislative Council, and has previously worked with the Australian Human Rights Commission on LGBTIQ projects. He has recently lead Out for Australia’s cooperation on the steering committee of the inaugural Australian LGBTIQ+ University Guide, and is an Arts/Law student at the University of Sydney.
Speakers include representatives from:
- Accenture
- ACON
- Allens
- ABBI
- ANZ
- Australian National University
- Baker & McKenzie
- Beyondblue
- Black Rainbow
- Commonwealth Bank of Australia
- Community Business Hong Kong (International Speaker)
- CSIRO
- Department of Defence
- Deutsche Bank Japan (International Speaker)
- Domestic Violence NSW
- EY
- Herbert Smith Freehills
- HSBC
- JoAnna Ferrari
- Key Assets
- Lendlease
- Macquarie Group
- Monash University
- National Australia Bank
- OII Australia
- Out for Australia
- Out Leadership (International Speaker)
- Paul Martin, LGBTI Psychologist
- Pride in Diversity
- PwC
- Safe Schools Coalition
- SGLBA
- Symmetra
- The Pinnacle Foundation
- The University of Western Australia
- Westpac Group
More information:
Stephanie Mellor
Email: stephanie.mellor@prideindiversity.com.au
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