View from the Top | Alison Watkins of ANZ

Alison Watkins has served in many key leadership roles for different organisations throughout her career, starting with a 10-year tenure at McKinsey before moving to the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group.

Today, Alison is Non-executive Director of ANZ, Woolworths Limited, and Just Group Limited. Before this, she was Coca-Cola Amatil Group Managing Director for seven years, leaving only in 2021 when Coca-Cola EuroPacific Partners acquired the company.

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A master of wearing different hats, Alison is also a chancellor at the University of Tasmania; director of The Centre for Independent Studies and the Business Council of Australia; and member of the Ministerial Advisory Panel for Low Emissions Technology.

As a leader, Alison has long spearheaded efforts towards gender equality and diversity when she was still with Coca-Cola Amatil. She encouraged other women in the business to speak out about salient women's issues. She also announced to the team that the Group Leadership at that time had already achieved 50:50 representation, with more than 30% of women in senior leadership positions.

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In 2022, Alison was among women leaders recognised by the Chief Executive Women (CEW) group for her significant service to business through leadership roles with a range of organisations, along with her outstanding contribution to the Australian community and economy.

Aside from leading the charge for women leaders, Alison is also passionate about creating eco-friendly business environments. She has forged partnerships with non-profits and foundations advocating for zero-waste initiatives that aim to change business for the good of the planet.