The Diversity Council Australia (DCA) has appointed Catherine Fitzpatrick as its new chief executive officer, bringing in a leader with more than three decades of experience across the corporate sector, government and media to steer the organisation through a rapidly evolving workplace landscape.
According to the DCA official website, Fitzpatrick will begin transitioning into the role immediately before taking up the position full time in September 2026. She succeeds Catherine Hunter, who stepped down earlier this month.
Fitzpatrick is widely recognised for her work in tackling financial abuse and gender bias through product and service design.
In 2024, she founded Flequity Ventures, a consultancy focused on disrupting financial abuse through innovation, and led initiatives including the Designed to Disrupt research series and the Respect and Protect campaign.
She also established The Financial Safety Alliance, bringing together the Australian Banking Association, the Australian Finance Industry Association, the Customer Owned Banking Association and ARCA to strengthen industry collaboration on financial safety.
Beyond her executive leadership, Fitzpatrick has held governance and advisory positions, including serving as a DCA board director from 2010 to 2015. She is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the 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.
Leading DCA through workplace change
DCA Board Chair Sunita Gloster AM said, “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.
She added, “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.”
“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,” Gloster also noted.
Focus on inclusion amid growing complexity
Fitzpatrick said she was joining DCA at a defining moment for employers as organisations navigate economic uncertainty, technological disruption and changing workforce expectations.
“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.
She mentioned, “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.”
In a LinkedIn post announcing her appointment, Fitzpatrick said the move reflected where she believed she could create the greatest impact in the next stage of her career.
"Today, I'm excited to share that I have accepted the role of Chief Executive Officer of Diversity Council Australia.
At a time of significant economic, technological and workforce change, the conversations around diversity and inclusion are becoming more complex, not less. Organisations need evidence, practical guidance and courageous leadership to navigate that change.
Having previously served on the DCA Board, I've seen first-hand the organisation's impact and the commitment of its people. The opportunity to lead DCA at this point in its history is both a privilege and a responsibility.
This wasn't a decision to leave behind the work I've been doing. It was a decision about where I can have the greatest impact in the next chapter of my career."
Fitzpatrick added that while she would step away from consulting, Flequity Ventures would continue expanding its research, capability tools and financial safety initiatives, including the Designed to Disrupt series, the Respect & Protect business initiative and its AI-assisted product design simulation.
She would also continue advocating for safer and fairer systems while completing existing client commitments before joining DCA full time in September.