The real estate and investment management firm made the announcement on Wednesday. Her role will involve working closely with key clients and stakeholders to deliver global, regional and local Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) strategies.

JLL’s CEO Dan Kernaghan said Collins’ new role will help establish change for an inclusive future for the company.

“Kara’s appointment as the Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion underscores JLL’s steadfast commitment to driving positive change and creating a more inclusive future,” Kernaghan said. 

“Her leadership and passion will undoubtedly inspire our employees to embrace diversity and champion equitable practices throughout our organisation.”

Collins joined JLL in 2018 as a senior property manager and outside her role, she led several state and national DE&I committees.

Collins’ hard work in the industry, paired with her commitment to DE&I, has not gone unnoticed: she received JLL’s Australian and APAC DE&I Award in 2020 and was a finalist in the WA PCA Property Leader of the Year Award in 2022.

Julie Skinner, the Head of HR at JLL Australia and New Zealand (JLL ANZ), said she is thrilled with Collins’ appointment.

“JLL ANZ’s inaugural appointment of a dedicated Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leader is a commitment to champion change for the future of our clients, communities, and team members,” she said.

“Welcoming Kara Collins into the DE&I Leader role is an extension of her six years of commitment to JLL’s clients and an opportunity to innovate in our DE&I deliverables to all stakeholders.  I’m thrilled to be working with Kara on these initiatives and we have an exciting, continued journey ahead of us.”

Collins will be working closely with Nashunda Williams, the global Head of DE&I, who is looking forward to working with her.

“Kara’s past accomplishments and experience reflects her commitment to fostering inclusive and equitable environments, where employees feel welcomed, valued, and empowered,” she said. 

“We look forward to the positive impact she will have in driving JLL’s DEI journey and creating lasting, transformative change.”

Collins said she is excited to get stuck into her new role at JLL ANZ, a company she has worked at for six years.

“JLL has continuously shown a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and I am honoured to be entrusted with leading these efforts for Australia and New Zealand,” she said. 

“I am excited to work with the passionate DE&I teams and leverage JLL’s extensive resources to ensure our workplace is an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and can thrive.

“We are fortunate that our clients are keen to partner with us in our Diversity endeavours, and we do not underestimate the role we can play in ensuring that the communities in which we operate are inclusive for all. I look forward to personally supporting our team in their partnership with our clients in this important work.”

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Muriel Wymarra, who was born and raised in Gimuy (Cairns), joins a remarkably diverse all-female board at AASW, becoming the fourth woman on the board with a First Nations background and the first of Torres Strait Islander culture.

Linda Ford, the National President of AASW, said the appointment of Wymarra is a major step in representing the diversity of First Nations cultures in Australia within the organisation.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are often identified jointly without acknowledging their unique cultural differences,” Ford said. “The AASW Board has recognised that we must value and promote both First Nations. 

“Muriel Wymarra’s appointment represents a significant milestone for the AASW board. Her wealth of experience and dedication to advocating for the Torres Strait Islander community aligns seamlessly with our inclusivity and cultural integrity mission.”

Wymarra has had an impressive career, amplifying the voices of Australia’s First Nations peoples in every role she has held.

Wymarra has worked in federal government administration, as well as not-for-profit organisations, and has served as the National Indigenous Social Work Group (NISWG) chairperson in Services Australia. She also provides counselling support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and is now pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy at Central Queensland University. Her research focuses on professional helping in Torres Strait culture.

Wymarra is looking forward to starting her new role as a Board Director at AASW.

“This is an exciting opportunity for a Torres Strait Islander social work practitioner to represent and amplify the rich diversity of Australia’s culture,” she said.

The Australian Association of Social Workers is the professional body for social workers around the country, supporting social workers and setting standards for education and practice within the industry.

Diversity of board directors in Australia is improving overtime. According to research from Watermark Search International and the Governance Institute of Australia, the percentage of women board directors on the ASX 300 list rose from 20 per cent in 2016 to 35 per cent in 2022.

However, most board directors in Australia still come from Anglo/European backgrounds, with just four per cent of board directors on the ASX 300 list Indigenous Australians.

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Colm Kelleher, the chairperson of the board of directors at the global corporation, said Kelly’s nomination promises great things for UBS Group.

“As one of the most influential voices in the Asia-Pacific financial industry and an acknowledged leader, Gail has an outstanding reputation,” Kelleher said.

“I greatly look forward to working with her on the Board.”

Kelly was the managing director at St George Bank from 2002, before being appointed as CEO of Westpac Banking Corporation in 2008. She was the first woman to be appointed as the chief executive of any major bank in Australia.

During her tenure as CEO of Westpac, she successfully oversaw the merger with St George Bank, deemed the largest market financial services merger in Australia. Kelly also navigated the company through the Global Financial Crisis and emerged on the other side stronger than ever.

Kelly was CEO of Westpac from 2008-2015. Since leaving the bank, she has  served as a senior global advisor to the UBS CEO and its group executive board from 2016-2023.

Kelly’s nomination to be elected on the board at UBS Group AG comes as Dieter Wemmer, the longest serving Board member of UBS Group US, informed the company he would not be standing for re-election to the Board of Directors.

UBS Chairperson Colm Kelleher thanked Wemmer for his eight years of service on the Board, a role he commenced in 2016.

“Dieter’s formidable expertise and personality will be missed on the Group Board,” Kelleher said.

Currently, there are four women who sit on the 13-person Board of Directors at UBS Group AG.

The Board election, for which Kelly has been nominated, will take place at the Annual General Meeting on 24 April 2024.

Kelly currently sits on several Boards, including Singtel, Woolworths Holdings Limited in South Africa and the Australian Philanthropic Services.

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Nikolic is currently the CEO of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA), with the peak physiotherapy body in Australia announcing her resignation from the role this morning.

She will step down as CEO of APA on 15 March as she begins her new role at the AIDH, the peak body for digital health in the country, on 25 March.

Nikolic said she is grateful for her time at APA and excited to commence a new chapter in her latest appointment.

“Leading the outstanding team at the APA has been a true honour and privilege,” she said. 

“Collaborating with a dedicated board of experts and receiving unwavering support from our broader member community throughout my tenure has been immensely gratifying.

“Together, we’ve accomplished remarkable milestones and cultivated a culture characterised by innovation and excellence.”

Nikolic has helped membership of the physiotherapy organisation reach an all-time high of more than 32,000 members. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she established the APA as a key source of information for physiotherapists, and helped physiotherapists in WA return to practising during lockdown.

Nikolic is an ally for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, and people from the LGBTQIA+ community. During her time as CEO, which began in 2019, she established the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Staff Advisory Group, the LGBTQIA+ Advisory Panel and the APA’s fourth Reconciliation Action Plan.

“I am proud of our achievements, and I hold complete faith in the capabilities of the talented individuals who will continue to drive the APA’s strategic vision, and the physiotherapy profession, well into the future,” Nikolic said.

Mark Round, the Chair of the Board at APA, wished Nikolic well for her upcoming role at AIDH.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Anja for her outstanding leadership and tireless dedication to physiotherapy in Australia over the past nine years,” Round said.

“Under her guidance, the organisation has achieved remarkable growth and success. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours and know that she will bring the same level of passion and excellence to her new role.”

In a media statement, the AIDH said the team is excited to have Nikolic join their team, replacing interim CEO Mark Nevin FAIDH, who held the role since July 2023.

“The Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH) Board is pleased to advise that Anja Nikolic will soon be joining the Institute as CEO,” the AIDH said.

“Anja is excited to take on the opportunity to grow the influence and impact of the AIDH, to support the digital capabilities of the healthcare workforce and achieve our vision of Healthier Lives, Digitally Enabled.”

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The announcement was made on Monday morning, with the Chairman of the Grattan Institute Board Lindsay Maxsted saying Dr Sathanapally heading the organisation will secure a positive future for the Institute.

“We are delighted to be able to appoint someone of Aruna’s calibre, intellect, and standing,” Maxsted said.

“The Board is confident that under Aruna’s leadership, Grattan will continue to build its position as a permanent institution in Australian public life, to the benefit of present and future generations.”

A former barrister and management consultant, Dr Sathanapally has a strong background in law, completing her masters and doctorate at the University of Oxford as a Menzies Scholar and a John Monash Scholar.

She is currently the Executive Director, Macroeconomy at the NSW Treasury and previously led the Revenue division, the NSW intergenerational report, and health and justice reform.

Dr Sathanapally will become the third CEO of the Grattan Institute, as Danielle Wood departs from the role to become the Chair of the Productivity Commission. Dr Sathanapally will commence her role in late February.

In a statement, Dr Sathanapally said she feels honoured to be the next CEO of the organisation.

“Grattan Institute is Australia’s independent public policy powerhouse, so it’s an honour to take on this vital role,” she said.

“I know from experience that Grattan has a well-earned and enviable reputation in government and beyond for intellectual rigour and innovative thinking.

“Grattan’s Program Directors – Tony Wood in Energy, Peter Breadon (Health), Jordana Hunter (Education), Brendan Coates (Economic Policy), and Sam Bennett as head of the new Disability Program – are all recognised leaders and experts in their field.

“I can’t wait to start working with them and the Institute’s highly motivated research staff, to identify and advocate for better public policy in the interests of all Australians.”

The Grattan Institute is an independent public policy think tank, established in 2008. Since then, the organisation has advised governments and helped shape major public policies in Australia through research, reports and recommendations.

Some of the important policies Grattan has advised on include making paid parental leave more gender-equal and the Federal Government’s 2022 cheaper childcare package, among others.

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A seasoned business transformation specialist and CX pioneer, Gwynn has been at the forefront of the Australian tech startup scene for almost a decade following a successful international career as a corporate and government analyst and advisor.

“I really believe in TALK5’s mission,” said Gwynn. “We’re here to make safety universally comprehensible and accessible, irrespective of language or culture.”

Gwynn met TALK5’s founder George Bancs through a mutual friend in late 2022. Impressed by Gwynn’s track record in growing and scaling successful tech startups alongside some of Australia’s most impressive tech founders, Bancs invited her to join the organisation’s advisory board. 

In recent months she has taken on the role of CEO, and said she’s excited to work alongside George and our growing team to not only scale the business, but to lead the charge in AI-powered safety technology empowering a wide range of industries”.

In November 2023, TALK5 launched ‘Mina’ – the world’s first virtual safety, health coach and assistant, delivering voice-to-text and text-to-voice tools, in over 15 languages. This technology delivers essential safety instructions in each worker’s preferred language, eradicating potential misunderstandings caused by language differences. 

It’s a project close to Gwynn’s personal background as a migrant, having emigrated from Beijing to Sydney with her family as a teenager. She says going directly into an English-speaking high school was “a very scary process”, and she understands the impacts of cultural, linguistic and language barriers on learning and comprehension. 

Alongside Bancs, Gwynn’s vision is for TALK5 to redefine how language and safety intersect in the workplace. 

“What I love is the early-stage building part of an exciting young business, making an impact,” she says. 

Back in 2015, Gwynn was the first key go-to-market hire for global tech company SafetyCulture. 

“My years with Safety Culture gave me a really solid introduction to the work, health and safety space and instilled in me an obsession with safety and the importance of developing (and constantly evolving) an incredible product that delivers the best customer experience,” she said. 

 As their Global Head of Customer Success Gwynn achieved 40x MoM revenue growth and scaled the company from less than $1 million ARR to over $45 million, before joining recruitment disruptor Hatch in 2020. At Hatch, she led the industry-shaping development of their COVID-19 Labour Exchange, which placed thousands of workers in temporary employment in 2020.

Following Hatch, Gwynn joined Immutable, an NFT and blockchain technology platform, to lead all partnerships efforts. 

Now, as TALK5’s CEO, Gwynn is passionate about the software platform, saying it may ultimately “help save lives” as there’s “an increasingly diverse workforce, who are largely operating in high-risk sectors, with a sophisticated and efficient approach to work, health and safety training”. 

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The ACIC is Australia’s national criminal intelligence agency, with specialist investigative capabilities under the Australian Crime Commission Act 2002. The AIC is Australia’s national research and knowledge centre on crime and justice.

Adding to over 33 years’ experience as an intelligence professional, Cook’s five year appointment will begin 15 January 2024. She’s an experienced senior executive and strategic leader having worked across government, private sector and academia. 

Cook is also currently a Member of the Distinguished Advisor Panel at the National Security College, Australian National University.

In a statement announcing her appointment, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP welcomed Cook and thanked Matthew Rippon for stepping in as acting CEO and Director “while the merit based selection process was undertaken”. 

Cook began her career in intelligence in 1989, serving with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service until 1995. She was a Senior Policy Office in the Defence, Intelligence and Security Branch of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet between 2000 and 2002. 

She also served as First Assistant Director-General at ASIO between 2006 and 2015 and as Deputy Director-General until 2023.

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Middleton’ career has seen her involved in events curation, screen production and journalism across multiple institutes including Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism, ABC, SBS, The Ethics Centre, and Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas. 

Middleton said she is “thrilled” about her new appointment, especially “at this important time as we move to represent more women in all facets of media, creating opportunities that empower them to network, enhance their skills, and attain career progression and well-deserved recognition.” 

With her expertise in editorial leadership, live programming, screen production, and digital strategy, Middleton will work towards generating a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in the industry. 

Co-chair of Women in Media, Anita Jacoby AM said, “Kym brings a wealth of media experience and industry skills to lead Women in Media in the next significant phase of our growth.”

“With more than 6,400 members and growing, we’re delighted to welcome her onboard and look forward to a stellar year in 2024 and beyond.” 

The Women in Media Industry Insight Report 2023 revealed that nearly a third of women working in media were thinking about leaving their job in the next 12 months, while over half said they were either unsure or explicitly dissatisfied with the progress of their careers. 

Middleton will begin her role in January 2024. 

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Delahunty succeeds Leeanne Turner in the role, with her position to take effect from February 2024.

Delahunty is the Founder and Managing Director of Seven Advisory, a specialist ESG consultant for institutional investors. Previously, she held various positions at Industry Fund HESTA, including as General Manager of Business Development and Policy, and Head of Impact. Delahunty’s work has successfully highlighted the policy changes needed to close the gendered retirement gap, including undertaking a Churchill Fellowship on the topic in 2015.

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia board welcomed Delahunty to the role.

“Mary Delahunty’s appointment marks a significant milestone for ASFA,” said ASFA Chair, Gary Dransfield.

“Her leadership qualities, industry knowledge, and demonstrated commitment to advancing the sector, align perfectly with ASFA’s 60-year-long mission to bring the whole industry together to strengthen the effectiveness of our superannuation system for all Australians.

“With a deep pipeline of consultation on critical issues ahead of us, and the planned delivery of a comprehensive professional development program to enhance skills and thought-leadership throughout the industry, we are confident that under Mary’s leadership, ASFA will continue to be the preeminent voice of the industry.”

Delahunty said it was an honour to join the team at The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia and was looking forward to contributing.

“A strong peak body, combining deep technical research with the expertise of super funds and service providers, as ASFA uniquely does, plays a crucial role in progressing important conversations on matters such as the objective of super, the role of capital and enhancing member services,” she said.

Dransfield said the board would like to thank Leeanne Turner for stepping in as interim CEO.

“In particular, Leeanne has played an invaluable role in contributing to an outstanding program at the ASFA Conference in Adelaide next week, which explores the enormous opportunity currently presented to the industry and tackles some of our key challenges head-on,” he said.

“Collaboration across the industry at a time of such change has never been more important and the Conference signals a bright year ahead,” concluded Mr Dransfield.

Delahunty also holds a number of board positions including in RegTech and education.

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Raman, who has been the CEO of Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) since July 2021, is also a ANU Council Member, and celebrated leader for her contributions to reducing violence against women. 

Chancellor of The Australian National University (ANU), the Hon Julie Bishop congratulated Raman last Friday, describing her appointment as “stellar.”

“The Australian Government could not have selected a stronger leader for this vital role,” Bishop said. “Padma has been a champion for women and their children for many years and has worked tirelessly to make significant and long-lasting change.”

Bishop reflected on the ways Raman has “helped to shape Australia’s national efforts to end violence against women and their children, and raise public awareness and conversations on how we can strive to achieve this goal.”

“We have no doubt she will continue to be a force for positive change for all women and children in her new role,” Bishop said. 

In a statement released on the same day, ANROWS Board Chair, Sam Mostyn AO praised Raman’s efforts during her time as CEO of the organisation, which according to Mostyn, “successfully grew” under Raman’s leadership.

Mostyn commended her former colleague for “securing additional funding for priority research, strengthening internal research and evaluation capacity, and building the infrastructure of ANROWS to ensure long term sustainability.”

“Listening deeply and working closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers, Padma has begun the process to deepen ANROWS’ relationship with and support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led research,” Mostyn said. 

“As a result of Padma’s leadership both at ANROWS and in the family, domestic and sexual violence sector, ANROWS has become widely recognised as the leading, authoritative voice to end violence against women and children.”

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Kane has been acting in the role this year until it was announced on Monday she would take the position on a full-time basis.

The role is one of the most senior deputies to the chief executive within the AFL organisation. Kane will oversee key aspects of all professional leagues of the game, including the men’s AFL, the AFLW, the men’s VFL and the VFLW.

She will manage umpiring, rules, tribunals, player movement, talent pathways and mental health and wellbeing.

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Kane told reporters she is proud of her promotion and is looking forward to changing the game for women.

“I feel thankful that the industry has supported me from the outside to come in and work my way through a club, across men’s and women’s football, and have a wonderful experience in the process,” she said.

“To look around and see female presidents, female CEOs, female executives… it’s a really big moment for women in our game.”

Natalie Wood, coach for Essendon’s AFLW team, said Kane’s appointment shows there are “real legitimate options” for everyone.

“If you’re good at what you do, there’s opportunity for you on and off the football field,” she said.

“We’re starting to see more women in roles and really important roles. It shows that it’s starting to become a real merit-based process and it doesn’t matter what your gender is.”

Kane is a qualified lawyer, who has previously represented victims in a Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. She has also held a number of senior roles at the North Melbourne football club, before she joined the AFL in 2021 as its competition manager.

Incoming CEO Andrew Dillon, who will replace long-serving Gillon McLachlan said Kane has already proven she is fit for the role and will lead the AFL in a positive direction.

“This AFL season has continued to throw up a diverse mix of challenges at our competition and Laura has led the football department team brilliantly in what has been a record year for our game,” he said.

“Laura’s experience, expertise, temperament and resilience, paired with building a team of additional key football talent, is the right mix to lead the football department.”

Kane has indicated she will prioritise improving in-game technology, particularly in relation to the goal review system, in her new senior executive role. She also intends to help increase AFLW scoring, improve cross-club relationships and be more accessible to fans and the media.

The appointment of Kane as the executive general manager, the first woman to ever hold the role, comes ahead of Round 1 of the AFLW, which kicks off this weekend.

Major steps to promote the women’s league of Australia’s national game have already begun, including doubling the prize money for the AFLW.

While last season’s total prize money pool for the women’s competition was $623,922, this year will see $1.1 million up for grabs, split between the league’s top eight teams.

The men’s AFL competition offers the same amount, but split between the league’s top four teams.

Melbourne and Collingwood will play each other in the opening game of the AFLW on Friday September 1, while the men’s league take a week off before the finals of the 2023 season.

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Ellis will succeed Bill Evans, who has been the chief economist at Westpac since 1991. From January next year, Evans will begin a new role as senior economic adviser, according to AFR. 

On Monday, Evans said that Westpac needed “generational change and the candidate fits that perfectly”.

“Luci is among a handful of the most qualified economists in the country,” he said in an interview with AFR.

After thirty-two years at the RBA, Ellis said she wanted a new challenge.

Ellis stepped into her role as Assistant Governor in 2016, after heading the RBA’s Financial Stability department for eight years. 

Ellis’ move away from the RBA comes after a recent spate of other high profile departures including former head of Domestic Markets department Jonathan Kearns, and former-deputy governor Guy Debelle, who left in March 2022 to join Fortescue Future Industries. 

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