Charlotte Downes
Head of Diversity
Equity and Inclusion, Fonterra
Charlotte Downes spent over two years leading The Diversity Agenda - the award-winning industry movement supported by over 50 CE's and business owners dedicated to improving diversity and inclusion in New Zealand’s engineering and architecture sectors. Key achievements during Charlotte's tenure include closing the industry’s pay equity gap, increasing women's representation in leadership roles, and establishing industry targets to drive meaningful change.
Before joining The Diversity Agenda, Charlotte worked in talent acquisition teams in the UK and China before returning home to lead the Diversity and Inclusion programme at Air New Zealand. Charlotte recently joined Fonterra to lead the next chapter of its diversity, equity, and inclusion journey.
Outside of work, she is a mum to Hunter (5), Harper (3), and Rubin the cat, and is currently studying for a Master’s in Organisational Change and Resilience at Academy EX.
SESSIONS
Day 1
12:25
Panel: How to overcome talent scarcity
Strategic responses to top talent acquisition against a background of tightening work visa rules
Breaking down barriers: Steps to create equal access and attract diverse talent
Looking beyond the small talent pool: benefits to training from the bottom up
Moderator: Faith Pallant, Recruitment Manager, University of Auckland
Anna Liumaihetau Darling, General Manager - People Experience, Sharesies
Jess McDonagh, PX Director – Australia and New Zealand, Gentrack
Kauri Tearaura, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lead, Department of Internal Affairs
Aroha Willis, Head of People and Culture, Goodman Fielder
Charlotte Downes, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Fonterra