As Diversity Council Australia (DCA) marks its 40th anniversary, we’re proud to showcase some of our Founding Member organisations who were there from the beginning and remain DCA members committed to advancing D&I today.
In 1985, some of Australia’s top business leaders came together to form the Council for Equal Opportunity in Employment — a bold, self-driven initiative to advance equal opportunity in the workplace. They believed business could lead cultural change, not wait for it to be legislated. That council became DCA. Today, we carry that legacy forward — championing diversity, equity and inclusion across many dimensions of D&I.
“When organisations join DCA, they’re not only accessing groundbreaking research, tools and a powerful peer network — they’re joining a legacy of leadership that proves business can change the nation for the better,” said DCA CEO, Catherine Hunter.
“That founding spirit still drives DCA today. Joining us means being a part of business-led progress, along with access to the latest research, tools and a network of professionals committed to action on diversity and inclusion.”
These leading employers and founding DCA members have played a key role in shaping more inclusive Australian workplaces.
We thank BHP, Coles Group, and IBM Australia for their contributions to this special commemorative series and look forward to sharing others in the coming weeks.
In the lead-up to this year’s Inclusion at Work Week (17–21 November), we’ll share more DCA Founding Member insights on what drives their D&I efforts, why it remains a business imperative, and the value and benefits of a DCA membership.
Geraldine Slattery (she/her), President Australia, BHP
On BHP’s commitment to D&I over the years:
“Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is anchored in a belief that achieving a truly diverse workforce is key to our success. It’s a commitment that’s been brought to life through our stated ambition to create gender balance, which was born in 2016, when women accounted for just 16 per cent of our workforce. Fast-forward to 2025 and women now comprise 40 percent of our global employee workforce. Over the years, it has taken courage and conviction, but the results speak for themselves. We are a better BHP, a safer, more productive and more reliable business.”
On why fostering inclusive workplaces is a strategic imperative:
“Inclusion is not just about targets, but unlocking the full potential of every individual, which in turn drives performance, adaptability and resilience. Achieving a workplace where everyone can succeed is something we should all be agitating for and, in our view, has become essential to thriving in a competitive global market. Inclusive workplaces empower people to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and innovate without fear, ultimately leading to better business outcomes. The competition to attract the best and brightest talent is also fierce, and we know being open-minded is critical to hiring, retaining and motivating top performers.”
On the value of DCA membership:
“At BHP, we’re proud to be part of the DCA story since the beginning. As a Founding Member, for four decades, we’ve gained invaluable access to a network of experts and organisations dedicated to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, and shaping the national agenda. Being part of this community has been instrumental in helping inform and forge our own practices and progress.”
Leah Weckert (she/her), Chief Executive, Coles Group
On Coles’ commitment to D&I over the years:
“At Coles, we’re part of almost every community in Australia. With that scale comes a responsibility to champion diversity and inclusion. We know that when our team reflects a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, we’re not only reflecting the communities in which we live and work but we spark fresh ideas as a business, build stronger connections, and foster deeper understanding and empathy.
With a workforce of more than 115,000 team members, diversity and inclusion are embedded into the way we lead, operate and engage our people. We have made good progress against and are achieving the goals we set for ourselves. More than a quarter of our team identify as culturally diverse. Women now make up more than 42.5% of our leadership roles. 7.5% of our team members identify as having a disability, 8.5% as part of the LGBTIQI+ community, and 3.6% as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.”
On why fostering inclusive workplaces is a strategic imperative:
“Creating an inclusive workplace is important for any business. We want our team members to come to work feeling valued and empowered to make their best contribution. When people feel this way, it strengthens relationships with our customers, with each other as a team, and with our wider community and customers. At Coles, prioritising inclusion helps build a dynamic culture that draws in and retains diverse talent, deepens team engagement, and helps us create more meaningful customer experiences. Ultimately, this all supports strong business performance.”
On the value of DCA membership:
“Coles has seen firsthand the value your evidence-based research and resources have helped guide our commitment to diversity and inclusion. This has allowed us to challenge our thinking and ensure our D&I initiatives evolve with the changing needs of the wider community and our business. Connecting with like-minded businesses dedicated to advancing inclusion helps Coles remain at the forefront of best practice and emerging trends to drive meaningful and sustainable change.”
Nick Flood (he/him), Managing Director, IBM Australia & New Zealand
On IBM Australia’s commitment to D&I over the years:
“IBM is immensely proud to have been a Founding Member of Diversity Council Australia. We remain committed to helping build a fairer, more equitable Australia today and into the future.
IBM has long prioritised inclusion within the company, and we as an organisation are stronger when we have diverse views and outlooks.
We run a number of events and initiatives to ensure inclusion is at the forefront of IBM including, our Women + AI initiative, an events and education program designed to empower and ensure women have access to the latest understandings and technology across AI.
IBM has also made its SkillsBuild platform available through non-profit social enterprise Specialisterne Australia.
This will provide more than 200 neurodivergent jobseekers with access to essential technical skills training and professional development to help with job opportunities in the technology space.
We also have a partnership with Soldier On Australia and since 2020, over 1500 veterans and their families have utilised IBM SkillsBuild’s free online learning platform designed for upskilling and reskilling into new careers to help them on their career journeys.”
On why fostering inclusive workplaces is a strategic imperative:
“Fostering an inclusive workplace is critical to the overall success of the business.
We’re often asked to solve our clients’ hardest problems—problems too complex and multifaceted to be meaningfully solved alone.
We rely on the strength of our teams, bringing their different skills, viewpoints and experiences, in order to solve these complex problems and generate value for our clients.”
On the value of DCA membership:
“IBMers have access to DCA’s research and resources including the D&I calendar, research and DCA events.
This in turn helps create the ability for people to take action and create meaningful change as they are empowered with the great resources that DCA offers.”
Become a DCA member!
As we celebrate the 40-year legacy of our Founding Members in shaping inclusive workplaces, we also look to the future – inviting all Australian employers to build on this progress. You can:
- Explore the benefits of a DCA membership, including access research, tools, events, advocacy, and training across key diversity areas – and become a DCA member!
- Take part in our 2025–2026 Inclusive Employer Index (EOIs close 25 August)
- Register for our fourth annual Inclusion at Work Week (17–21 November) to showcase your organisation’s D&I stories (registrations open mid-September).