Diversity Council Reveals New Leader

Workplace diversity Not for Profit, the Diversity Council Australia, has appointed its Programs and Member Services Director Lisa Annese as Chief Executive Officer.

DCA said Annese had played a key role in broadening DCA’s services to members, growing its member base and contributing to public debate on diversity.

DCA Chair Anna McPhee said Annese’s extensive experience in working with DCA members on their diversity programs, combined with her business development and excellent communication skills, made her the ideal candidate.

“Now approaching its 30th year, the organisation has evolved from one focused only on gender affirmative action, to a modern inclusive agenda working with organisations on a range of diversity areas such as gender, cultural diversity, disability, generational/mature age, Indigenous, LGBTI and flexible working. With Lisa at the helm, DCA will continue to deliver the latest diversity research, thinking and practice and support business to the high standards expected by our members,” McPhee said.

Annese first joined DCA in 2009 and left for a short stint in 2011 to become the first dedicated Diversity Manager at Corrs Chambers Westgarth, later winning the Lawyers Weekly Firm Diversity Award.

Prior to joining DCA, she worked at the then Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) where she developed the first census of “Australian Women in Leadership”, the first “Business Achievement Awards”, the creation of the “Employer of Choice for Women” citation and the development and implementation of the policy framework for the EOWA Act (1999) with Australian businesses.

For her contribution at EOWA, Annese was awarded a Medal for Significant Contribution to the Australian Public Service in 2001. She also co-authored “Chief Executives Unplugged: CEOs Get Real About Women in the Workplace” which was named a “must-read business book” by AFR/BOSS magazine in 2005.

Annese said she was excited to take on the role and looked forward to building on the success of the organisation.

“I am thrilled to be appointed as DCA’s CEO. I am strongly committed to supporting DCA members and potential members to build their diversity capability and to ensuring the public debate is led in favour of an Australia that ensures excellent outcomes for diverse people,” Annese said.

“I am determined during my tenure to continue to expand the reach of DCA membership and enable best practice through world class research and building critical partnerships.”

Annese will commence in the role on June 2.