Leonie
McAuley

I have 15+ years’ experience both internationally and in Australia in human resources, workplace and industrial relations, having delivered strategic business partner and executive level support within large, complex sectors and organisations, including Aged Care and Disability (HenderCare, Bupa); Oil and Gas (Santos); Financial Services (Goldman Sachs) and a magic circle law firm, Thomson Geer.

What I bring to SDM is unusual - I've worked as an employment lawyer and as a Chief People Officer. I've sat in the HR chair making the decisions, in the legal chair advising on them, and as an advisor to Boards and Directors so that they are equipped in their fiduciary responsibilities. That combination means I deeply understand employment challenges from the inside as well as the management of risk from an independent perspective.

As an experienced workplace investigator, I have conducted complex investigations into psychological safety, workplace behaviour and employee allegations, acting on behalf of employers to defend claims. My experience extends to analysing enterprise and collective agreements, contracts and modern awards against existing pay structures to ensure compliance and avoid underpayment demands.

As a lawyer working in human resources, I have also developed and delivered training programs for leaders and HR Business Partners - covering unfair dismissal avoidance, effective investigations, contact officer training and managing chronic sick leave and long-term absence.

My full biography can be reviewed on LinkedIn