Diversity Council Australia (DCA) today announced the appointment of Catherine Fitzpatrick as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Catherine brings more than 30 years of leadership across the corporate sector, government and media. She has held executive roles shaping organisational strategy and operational change to deliver fairer, safer and more inclusive outcomes for employees, customers and communities, whilst also contributing to public policy and industry reform. In 2024, she founded Flequity Ventures, a consultancy that works with business, industry and government to disrupt financial abuse and gender bias through smarter product and service design. Her ground-breaking Designed to Disrupt® reports and Respect and Protect™ campaign have influenced and mobilised businesses, regulators and governments globally.
Outside her executive career, Catherine has considerable governance experience on boards and advisory committees, is an Adjunct Associate Professor at UNSW School of Social Sciences, co-founder of the One Generation business alliance against domestic and family violence, an AFR | Qantas 100 Women of Influence and a member of Chief Executive Women.
DCA Board Chair Sunita Gloster AM welcomed Catherine to the role on behalf of the Board.
“Catherine’s career has been defined by her ability to translate deep insight into systems and culture into measurable, large-scale change across some of Australia’s biggest organisations. The breadth of her experience across the corporate sector, policy and now her own social enterprise makes her ideally suited to support DCA’s diverse membership base as they navigate significant workforce transition,” Sunita said.
“Catherine is also no stranger to DCA. She served as a Director on our Board from 2010 to 2015, which gives her a deep understanding of our purpose and work as she steps into this role. The Board is confident she is exceptionally well placed to lead DCA into its next chapter, working alongside our members as they build diverse and inclusive workplaces ready for the future of work.”
Catherine Fitzpatrick said she was looking forward to leading DCA at a pivotal moment for Australian workplaces.
“We’re navigating a moment of rising complexity, polarisation and relentless technological change – workplaces are at a genuine inflection point. For more than 40 years, DCA has led the way on diversity and inclusion in Australia, giving members the guidance and tools to build workplaces where every person can thrive. That work has never mattered more. I’m delighted to be joining DCA as CEO and look forward to working with the team to help our members navigate what comes next,” Catherine said.
Catherine will start a transition into the role immediately and will assume the position full time in September 2026.
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About DCA
Diversity Council Australia is the leading peak body for diversity and inclusion. As an independent not-for-profit and charitable organisation, we provide expert guidance to workplaces, policymakers and the broader community through research, tools, events, advocacy and education. Together, with our network of nearly 1,300 member organisations, we shape more equitable workplaces for a stronger economy and fairer society.
Media Contact
Ali Coulton
media@dca.org.au
Catherine Fitzpatrick’s bio
Catherine is an executive leader and social entrepreneur with extensive experience across business, government and the not-for-profit sector. Her commitment to equity and inclusion has been a consistent thread throughout her career, from her early work The West Australian and UNICEF Australia, to developing Leighton Holdings’ first gender diversity policy and leading Commonwealth Bank’s domestic and family violence strategy.
She has served on numerous boards and advisory committees, including Diversity Council Australia, the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia, the Australian National University’s Student Safety and Wellbeing Committee, and the National Plan Advisory Group. She is Adjunct Associate Professor at UNSW School of Social Sciences and an expert adviser to the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank Group.
Catherine is founder of Flequity Ventures, the Financial Safety Alliance, co-founder of the One Generation business alliance against domestic abuse, an AFR | Qantas 100 Women of Influence and a member of Chief Executive Women.