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, $75 for Non-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
Fiona Davies CPHR She/Her
Senior Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Partner, Australia Post
Bio
Fiona (she/her) has extensive experience leading DEI strategies and programs across corporate, NGO and professional services. Currently a Senior DEI Partner at Australia Post, she’s passionate about turning insights into action and making inclusion part of how organisations work. Fiona is also a member of AHRI’s DEI Advisory Panel and President of The Inclusion Circle.
Panellist
Ruby Anandajayasekeram MAHRI She/Her
Global Advisor and Strategist – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Bio
Ruby Anandajayasekeram is a DE&I leader and former Global DE&I Advisor at Shell, where she helped drive inclusive leadership and global diversity strategies. Drawing on a 20-year legal career, she champions equity through mentoring, advocacy and governance, and is passionate about creating lasting cultural change through inclusion and diverse perspectives.
Panellist
Jason Teoh FCPHR He/Him
Manager D&I, Western Sydney University
Bio
Jason Teoh is Manager, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Western Sydney University, leading strategy, governance and workforce inclusion initiatives. He contributed to AHRI’s DEI Futures paper and advises Diversity Council Australia. Jason is a respected commentator on DEI, workplace culture and navigating complex inclusion challenges through respectful, evidence-based dialogue.
Panellist
James Hare MAHRI He/Him
HR & DEI Consultant, Alignment Group
Bio
Panellist
Karlie Cremin She/Her
CEO at DLPA / Crestcom ANZ
