Mercer appoints Diversity & Inclusion Practice Leader

Mercer has appointed Yolanda Beattie, an executive with the Australian Government's Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), as the firm's diversity and inclusion practice leader.

Beattie was responsible for increasing the WGEA's reach and influence through leading public campaigns, strategic partnerships, stakeholder engagement and education programs. Her earlier career included several corporate affairs, communications and marketing roles at firms including Macquarie Group, IAG and Honner Media.

In announcing the appointment, Garry Adams, leader of Mercer's Talent Business in the Pacific, said: "We are excited that Yolanda is joining Mercer to spearhead our diversity and inclusion consulting offering. Yolanda brings a wealth of knowledge of best-practice gender equity policy and practices from her time at WGEA. Over the past couple of years we have collaborated closely with Yolanda and the WGEA team on initiatives such as the Gender Pay Gap Calculator and have formed strong working relationships."

He added: "Globally, improving gender equity in the workplace continues to be one of the greatest challenges facing employers and is critical to both overall economic growth and improved financial performance at a company level."

Commenting on her appointment, Beattie said: "Mercer is ideally placed to deliver a data-centric, accountability-driven diversity and inclusion offering. I am excited to be part of Mercer's mission to create better workplaces for everyone."