Session 3: DEI in a Polarised World: Building Respect, Trust and Psychological Safety
Embedding Equity into Flexibility, Wellbeing and the Employee Life Cycle
- Virtual Webinar
- 19 November 2026
- Free for AHRI Members
DEI Week
Explore practical strategies to navigate polarisation and workplace tensions by building trust, psychological safety and inclusive cultures where people can thrive.
Workplaces increasingly need to understand the impact of social and political tensions impacting their people and workplaces. This session will explore these tensions and dynamics, including polarisation, backlash and burnout and how organisations remain steadfast on their diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging journey.
Speakers
Moderator
Barbara Sheehy MAHRI She/Her
Director Indigenous Affairs – Australia, Sodexo Australia
Bio
Barbara Sheehy AAICD MAHRI is a proud Birri Gubba woman and Director Indigenous Affairs at Sodexo Australia. With global executive experience, she drives reconciliation and systemic change. A champion of Indigenous leadership and representation, Barb serves on AHRI’s DEI Advisory Panel and is a 2024 IECL Indigenous Leadership Scholar.
Panellist
Anna Dawson She/Her
Organisational Psychologist & Psychosocial Safety Specialist
Bio
Anna is an organisational psychologist specialising in psychological health and safety, employee experience, and wellbeing. She led NSW’s psychological health and safety strategy and brings expertise in leadership, safety culture, and psychosocial risk legislation. Anna designs safe work and empowers leaders to foster healthy, inclusive workplace cultures.
Panellist
Emilie Priday She/Her
Gender Equality and DEI Specialist Consultant
Bio
Emilie Priday is a DEI leader with 20+ years in gender equality, human rights, and cultural change. Formerly with the NSW Public Service Commission and AHRC, she now consults on inclusive strategy, workplace culture, and psychosocial safety. Emilie blends empathy with expertise to drive lasting, high-impact change.
Panellist
Dr Lisa Fowkes She/Her
Director, Employment Initiatives, Social Ventures Australia
Bio
Lisa is a seasoned employment equity advocate with 20+ years in practice, research, and policy. She leads SVA’s Employment work, improving job access for excluded youth. Her PhD focused on First Nations employment programs. Through Employer Innovation Labs, she partners with businesses to create meaningful jobs with social impact.
Panellist
Jakob Woods-Huxtable MAHRI He/Him
Organisational Development Lead, Culture and Engagement, CPA Australia
Bio
Jakob (he/him) is a workplace inclusion and culture advocate with experience across sectors in organisational development, employee experience, and social impact. At CPA Australia, he leads global engagement initiatives. A mentor and community leader, Jakob champions storytelling as a tool for courageous leadership, connection, and creating inclusive, high-performing workplaces.
