Diversity Council Australia is delighted to announce the appointment of Katriina Tahka as the new Member Services Director. In her new role, Katriina Tahka will lead the implementation of membership strategies and programs across Australia for DCA and its members.
DCA’s CEO, Nareen Young, said Katriina’s skills, expertise and understanding of diversity in Australia are a very valuable addition to the organisation:
“Katriina’s extensive knowledge of implementing successful diversity programs in a corporate setting, combined with her experience as an employment lawyer working in two national legal firms and as in-house counsel, make her an ideal person to provide strategic advice to organisations on improving their workplace culture and business performance through diversity and inclusion. With this in mind, she will also work with me and other DCA staff to review DCA’s services and programs to enhance our capacity to lead diversity practice and thinking in Australia,” said Nareen.
DCA’s Chair, Anna McPhee, said that this appointment underscores DCA’s premier position as the independent, not-for-profit workplace diversity advisor to business in Australia, achieved under the leadership of CEO Nareen Young:
“Katriina’s appointment to the DCA team is very welcome as we have known Katriina and her work as a diversity leader for many years,” said Anna.
Katriina has long had an interest in working at the intersection of employment and anti-discrimination law and as a leader in developing Australian diversity practice:
“I believe that Australia is rich not only with natural minerals and resources but with a diverse pool of human potential. An organisation’s ability to attract and retain the best talent is a source of competitive advantage and therefore a critical business issue.
“Companies that are not able to attract and retain the best available talent will miss out on this opportunity to maximize performance. For this reason I believe that diversity is not about nice programs or policies. It is a strategic conversation that needs to be embedded into all aspect of business planning,” said Katriina.
Katriina has more than 15 years’ experience in workplace relations. She has practiced as an employment lawyer in top tier national law firms in Australia, working with predominantly employer clients, advising them on a broad range of employment law issues and representing them in employment-related litigation.
Ten years ago Katriina got the opportunity to move in-house to a large Australian blue chip organisation providing employment and diversity advice and consultancy across the business and at all levels of management. Katriina has led the national talent management and diversity teams, led the design and development of the leadership framework and worked with senior leadership teams on strategic workforce planning. Katriina has also been responsible for HR operations internationally working across India, China, Singapore, United Kingdom and United States.
Katriina has presented widely on workplace relations, talent management and diversity matters in Australia and is a past President & Chair of the former National Diversity Think Tank. She has a Bachelor of Arts & Bachelor of Law degree from the Australian National University. She lives in Sydney, Australia with her partner and their three children.
To talk to Katriina or any DCA advisor about how we can support your organisation’s diversity programs, call us on (02) 9035 2852 or email us at sydney@dca.org.au.
