Our next HR, Talent & Safety Executive Round Table will shine a spotlight on one of the most important topics shaping modern workplaces—how diversity and inclusion directly influence better business decisions. Leading the conversation is Odette Patterson, Group Manager, Workforce Resourcing at Whitehaven Coal, and a nationally recognised advocate for building equitable, high-performing teams.
Odette’s career spans an impressive mix of industries—mining, health, food manufacturing, disability services, and industrial operations—giving her a rare ability to translate diversity and inclusion strategies across vastly different business environments. At Whitehaven Coal, she oversees a multi-site workforce resourcing function, driving initiatives that attract, engage, and retain talent while embedding inclusive practices into every stage of the employee lifecycle. Her leadership has already delivered measurable results, from boosting female participation in traditionally male-dominated sectors to creating pathways for Indigenous Australians, mature workers, and people with disabilities.
With a track record of delivering complex HR and change management projects, Odette has led workforce transformations, organisational restructures, talent mobility programs, and large-scale recruitment campaigns that align business needs with people strategies. She is adept at guiding stakeholders through change—balancing operational demands with a strong focus on employee experience—and has successfully embedded new systems, processes, and cultural initiatives that endure well beyond project completion.
What makes Odette’s approach so impactful is her blend of commercial acumen and people-first leadership. She doesn’t just talk about the value of inclusion—she implements it in ways that enhance decision-making, sharpen problem-solving, and strengthen organisational resilience. Known for her energy, pragmatism, and ability to bring people on the journey, Odette inspires leaders to think beyond compliance and embrace diversity as a core business advantage.
The Business Case for Diversity in Decision-Making
How diverse perspectives improve problem-solving, creativity, and risk management.
Embedding Inclusion Across the Employee Lifecycle
Practical approaches to integrate inclusion into workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, and leadership behaviours.
Attracting and Retaining a Diverse Talent Pool
Building an employer brand that resonates with underrepresented groups and fosters a culture of belonging.
Overcoming Barriers to Inclusion
Identifying and addressing systemic challenges to drive sustainable change.
Lessons from the Field
Real-world examples from Odette’s diverse industry experience—what worked, what didn’t, and what leaders should do next.
⏰ 07:30 am 📅 Thursday 28th August 2025
📍 Move Recruitment Solutions HQ, Unit 4, 34 Commercial Road, Newstead Queensland 4006
📌 Cultivating a Diverse & Inclusive Workforce to Improve Business Decision-Making
🎤 Odette Patterson, Group Manager, Workforce Resourcing at Whitehaven Coal
These sessions are intentionally small and highly interactive. Seats are limited, so please only register here if you’re confident you can attend—no-shows may affect your ability to join future events.
We look forward to welcoming you for a high-impact morning of diversity and inclusion insights, practical strategies, and fresh thinking with one of the most dynamic leaders in workforce and talent strategy.
