Debby Blakey is CEO of industry superannuation fund HESTA which was recognised for its commitment to employee welfare, development and education when it was named a winner for Employer of Choice in the Australian Business Awards 2021.
Debby said the award reflected the commitment of the HESTA team to making a difference for members. “Our people are at the heart of everything we do. I’m so proud of the strong, inclusive and diverse culture we’ve built that allows our people to do amazing work and delivered outstanding, long-term performance for our members. Our people often tell me they’re doing some of the best work of their careers at HESTA that’s helping improve the financial future of our members, while also amplifying the positive impact we can have on the world they’ll retire into.”
As the super fund dedicated to Australia’s health and community services (HACS) sector, HESTA strongly advocates for the interests of its members. Improving pay and working conditions for those working in HACS, speaking up for greater gender equality, and pushing for universal access to high-quality childcare are some of the ways HESTA is helping to create a better future.
Earlier this year HESTA was named, for its fifth consecutive year, an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), which acknowledges active commitment to achieving gender equality in Australian workplaces.
Debby Blakey has been a Workplace Gender Equality Agency Pay Equity Ambassador since 2016 and is a vocal advocate for pay equity. As CEO of $64 billion industry super fund HESTA, she leads an organisation passionate about making a real difference to the financial future of every member while supporting a healthier planet and society. Having held senior positions across financial services, she believes the industry has a vital role in helping meet global challenges. Under her leadership, HESTA pioneered investing with impact to deliver strong, long-term returns and positively contribute to global sustainable development goals.
The first major Australian super fund to commit to an ambitious Climate Change Transition Plan, HESTA is targeting total portfolio cuts in emissions of 33 per cent by 2030 and ‘net zero’ by 2050. More than 80 per cent of HESTA’s 900,000+ members are women. Blakey is a prominent voice for advancing gender equality. Her advocacy for systemic change highlights that when women do better everyone benefits from a more resilient economy and a fairer society.
Prior to leading HESTA, she was Deputy CEO and previously headed the Fund’s financial advice team. Her wealth of experience in financial services includes running her own business as an Employee Benefit Consultant for 12 years. She is also President of the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors and holds directorships at the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia and the International Corporate Governance Network.
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