Catherine Hunter has been appointed CEO of Diversity Council Australia (DCA), Australia’s independent not-for-profit peak body championing diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
The former Group General Manager Inclusion and Belonging at Woolworths Group Limited has had a career spanning more than three decades, working across business, consulting and the arts.
Hunter was previously a Partner, Corporate Citizenship at KPMG Australia, where she spent more than 16 years, holding various leadership roles such as Co-lead of KPMG Indigenous Services, Director and Head of Corporate Citizenship, and Manager of Community Partnerships and the KPMG Foundation.
She has also held positions as State Manager of the Australia Business Arts Foundation and Development Executive at the Sydney Opera House Trust. She was the founding Director and Chairperson of the UN Global Compact Network Australia, a global initiative that worked to ensure businesses aligned their strategies and operations with the UN’s Ten Principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.
She is currently a Non-Executive Director for Studio Schools Australia, a model of residential education delivered on-country across the remote North to ensure the best outcomes of First Nations students and to help them strengthen their language and culture.
“I’m thrilled to be joining DCA at such a vital time for diversity and inclusion across Australia’s workplaces,” Hunter said of her appointment.
“Building upon the strong foundations laid by former CEO Lisa Annese and the DCA team, I look forward to working with our members as their trusted partner to strengthen their inclusive work practices that enable people to thrive and perform at their best.”
DCA Board Chair Sunita Gloster AM described Hunter as a leader with “a deep understanding of how to engage leaders across business, government and community in diversity and inclusion.”
“Her role leading inclusion at one of Australia’s largest employers, coupled with her experience in ESG, specifically in business and human rights, will be invaluable as DCA works to support its members’ needs and address Australia’s workplace opportunities and challenges,” Gloster added.
“DCA’s membership base comprises a broad cross section of Australian workplaces – from ASX 100 business and government agencies through to small business. Through our members and our research, we know that workplace inclusion promotes innovation, enhances collaboration, and is key to better business performance.
“Catherine’s proven track record in building and delivering inclusive workplaces for the benefit of individuals, business outcomes and the broader Australian community made her a standout choice for the leadership of DCA.”
Hunter begins her new role next month.