Human-centred recruitment in action

A story of partnership, purpose and impact

We are pleased to shine a light on a story that represents the very best of what meaningful, human-centred recruitment can achieve.

Recently, Robyn Riddle (Meaningful Work & Inclusion Manager) had the privilege of working with Phoebe Mwanza, a remarkable leader whose global experience, intellect and lived expertise were undeniable, yet she faced barriers re-entering the Australian job market. Like so many internationally trained, purpose-driven professionals, her story and impact weren’t being fully seen.

What unfolded next was a true partnership in action.

Through a deep discovery process, together we reframed her leadership narrative, elevated her visibility, and activated the market in a strategic, intentional way. It wasn’t driven by filling a role. It was driven by purpose, alignment, and a belief in her value.

When we connected with Diversity Council Australia Ltd, it was immediately clear there was a shared mission. Their commitment to building inclusive, equitable workplaces resonated strongly with Phoebe’s expertise, and with the work we do at Beaumont People to embed universal design and inclusive hiring practices across the sector.

What made this partnership stand out was DCA’s willingness to think beyond traditional recruitment parameters. Through open conversation and a strengths-based approach, they explored how Phoebe’s expertise could best support their long-term work. Their flexibility and commitment to values alignment ensured the process focused on capability, purpose and contribution.

The result:
🌈 A leader whose experience, integrity and purpose are now helping shape national conversations on inclusion.
🌈 A client who demonstrated what inclusive workforce design looks like in practice.
🌈 A process that put partnership and possibility at the centre.

This is the kind of recruitment that changes lives. This is the power of being truly values aligned.

A heartfelt thank you to the team at DCA for their trust and vision, and to Phoebe for allowing us to walk alongside her on this journey. She is already making an impact.

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(By Alma Raheem) One of the things I value most about working in executive search is the chance to spend time with leaders outside of a live recruitment process. More often than not, we meet CEOs at very specific moments, whether that’s appointing a new executive, navigating a period of change, or thinking about succession. Those conversations are important, but they’re usually quite focused on a particular outcome. What we don’t always get the opportunity to do is step back and have a broader conversation about leadership itself. As part of our Leadership Conversations series, I recently sat down with Susanne Legena, CEO of Plan International Australia. Susanne is widely respected in the global social change space, with deep experience across climate justice, gender equality and international development. Alongside her CEO role, she is Chair of the Emergency Action Alliance, a Board Director at CommUnity Plus, and has recently joined the board of the Australian Conservation Foundation. I asked Susanne five questions about leadership, executive readiness and where the for-purpose sector is heading. We covered a lot of ground, from AI through to feedback, but what stayed with me most was how often the conversation came back to the same idea: leadership really starts with how you lead yourself. As we spoke, I found myself reflecting on how much of this applies more broadly, so I’ve included a few questions throughout for anyone who wants to pause and consider their own leadership along the way.