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Avril Henry AM

Avril Henry AM is the Founder and Executive Director of Avril Henry & Associates. She is an acclaimed keynote speaker, consultant, coach, mentor and author, who is passionate about diversity and inclusion, developing collaborative leaders and positive workplaces. Over 16 years her consulting business has worked with organisations to change their culture and build their leadership capability. Avril’s career has spanned senior roles in finance, project management, change management and human resources in South Africa, Australia, the UK and USA.

In 2015, Avril was named one of the AFR Westpac 100 Women of Influence in Australia, and one of the 10 most influential women in the diversity space. She has been recognised by the Human Rights Commission and received business awards in Australia and the USA, for her diversity programs. Avril has received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement in HR Award at the Australian Human Resources Awards, a global award for Excellence in Leadership Coaching, and in 2024 was made a Member of the Order (AM) for her significant service to business consultancy, project management, and women.

Avril has a degree in accounting and economics from the University of Cape Town, is an accredited coach and did post graduate studies in Human Resources at AGSM and leadership at Harvard Business School. She is a Fellow of CPA Australia, Senior Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Managers and Leaders, Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and member of AHRI.

Avril has been a senior advisor on cultural transformation, gender and diversity to the Chief of Defence, Chief of Army, Australia; the ACT Commissioner of Emergency Services and was a member of the Australian Navy People & Capability Committee. Avril has coached Generals and Brigadiers in the Australian Army, the Chief of Army, Heads of Special Forces, past and present, ambassadors, emergency services executives and CEOs in the private sector, in Australia and globally. Her clients include banks, mining, construction, IT, health, universities, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, and state & federal government departments.

Avril is on the boards of My Property Circles (property investment) and is the Chair of Catch Up Australia (to address financial security of women over 55). She has served on the boards of NOW Australia (addressing sexual harassment in Australian workplaces), the Can Too Foundation (raising money for cancer research through fitness programs) and several industry association bodies.

She is the author and co-author of several books on leadership, the different generations at work and gender. Avril is a panellist on TV on ABC’s The Drum, ABC national radio, writes for several business magazines and is the convenor/interviewer of the podcast, AHAA Moments which covers current affairs. She lives in Sydney with her husband and two Spoodles, who keep her grounded!

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