Sam Turner

Travels from: New South Wales

Highly sought after speaker for her thought leadership on creating inclusive workplaces

Categories: Diversity & Inclusion, Leadership, Women in Business

Full Presenter Profile & Bio

Sam Turner is the former Head of Inclusion & Diversity for the Westpac Group, and a much sought after speaker for her thought leadership on creating inclusive workplaces. During her time at Westpac, she launched an employment program for people with autism, achieved 50% women in leadership roles, established and governed nine employee action groups, and created a unique leadership program for people from culturally diverse backgrounds. 

Sam is currently working alongside the CEOs of major global tech and media companies as the Program Director for Male Champions of Change Global Tech Group. She provides coaching, advice and actionable strategies to increase gender equality and inclusion both within their organisations and across the tech industry more broadly. 

Sam also works as a consultant with Elizabeth Broderick & Co in their highly reputable and visible reviews of workplace culture – specifically gender equality, diversity, and cultural transformation/renewal. 

She is an energetic and engaging leader who is passionate about people and equality. 

Sam was with Westpac for five years including a role as Chief of Staff for NSW Regional Banking, and has held various senior roles at NAB, BHP, and Deloitte. She has a unique blend of commercial acumen, transformational leadership, and imagination. Sam knows how to drive tangible positive outcomes within the public and private sector, but yet also stretches leaders with bold vision and innovative ideas for sustainable change. 

Sam was the Overall Winner of the 2016 Women of Influence Awards, and was named one of Australia’s Outstanding 50 LGBTIQ leaders in the Deloitte/Google 2018 list. Sam has recently completed a prestigious Churchill Fellowship undertaking global research on enabling greater Cultural Diversity in Australian leadership. 

Sam is the Chair of The Aurora Group, one of NSW’s largest not for profit organisations providing small grants to LGBTIQ charities.

She holds an Honours degree in Commerce, and a Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology.

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