Ex-KPMG partner Catherine Hunter next CEO of Diversity Council Australia

Former KPMG partner Catherine Hunter has been appointed as the next CEO of Diversity Council Australia – taking on the role at a time when diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are in the spotlight.

Hunter joins the council from Woolworths, where she has served as general manager for diversity, equity & inclusion since 2021, before which she spent more than a decade and a half at KPMG as head of corporate citizenship.

An independent non-profit, Diversity Council Australia (DCA) is the country’s peak body for the promotion of workplace diversity, with its more than 1,300 business members said to employ almost a fifth of the local workforce.

“I’m thrilled to be joining DCA at such a vital time for diversity and inclusion across Australia’s workplaces,” Hunter stated. “Building upon the strong foundations laid by former CEO Lisa Annese and the 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.”

A communications graduate of the University of Canberra, Hunter joined KPMG in 2005, establishing and leading the Big Four firm’s corporate citizenship function and strategy for the next sixteen years. In this role, Hunter was responsible for directing KPMG’s social and environmental investments, strategic relationships with peak bodies, and internal staff engagement initiatives.

Highlights during her time at the firm included the acquisition of human rights consultancy Banarra (founded by now chief purpose officer Richard Boele) and the establishment of KPMG’s Indigenous consulting practice. With support from joint venture partner Arrilla, KPMG also achieved and maintained its ‘Elevate’ Reconciliation Action Plan status during her tenure.

“Catherine has a deep understanding of how to engage leaders across business, government and community in diversity & inclusion,” said DCA chair Sunita Gloster. “Her role leading inclusion at one of Australia’s largest employers, coupled with her experience in business and human rights, will be invaluable as DCA works to address Australia’s workplace opportunities and challenges.”

Political landscape

One of those challenges, arguably the most significant in recent history, is the current political backlash against DEI programs within government and the corporate sector being orchestrated in the US and imported downunder ahead of the next federal election. Australia will also be impacted in terms of locally-operating multinational companies scrapping their global D&I initiatives.

The latest example is Accenture (where Gloster also happens to work as a senior advisor), which in recently axing its program joins the likes of Amazon, Meta, McDonalds and fellow DCA member Google, potentially impacting tens of thousands of local workers. Meanwhile, among the countless reports, KPMG has previously outlined the business and economic benefits of workplace diversity.

“DCA’s membership base comprises a broad cross section of Australian workplaces – from ASX 100 organisations and government agencies through to small businesses,” Gloster said in welcoming Hunter. “Through our members and our research, we know that workplace inclusion promotes innovation, enhances collaboration, and is key to better business performance.”

Alongside HSBC, Gilbert & Tobin and IAG, KPMG is a major sponsor of DCA, which was originally formed in 1985 by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and the Business Council of Australia to tackle gender inequality but has since expanded its remit to include all forms of workplace discrimination based on race, age, sexuality, disability, and neurodivergence.

Speaking recently, Hunter said; “While global events might signal a backlash towards DEI, the values of social justice, equity, respect and kindness will always trump hate, bigotry and racism. We need allies more than ever now, to amplify and include often marginalised voices. Let’s connect through our shared humanity, find common ground, and meet each other with compassion.”