Dr Linda Colley consults on gender equality and diversity for corporate, government and public sector clients. She brings a rare combination of academic rigour, public sector leadership and hands-on regulatory experience to the field of gender equality and workplace reform, and is recognised as a national expert on gender equality at work.
Linda served as Special Commissioner, Equity and Diversity for the Queensland public sector (2021–2025), a statutory appointment reporting directly to the Premier. In this role she redesigned the state’s equity and diversity function: introducing new positive duties under the Public Sector Act 2022; establishing gender equality auditing and evidence-based planning regimes; overhauling the state’s approach to sexual harassment prevention and management; and sponsoring innovative policies on recruitment and reproductive health leave. Under her leadership, the gender pay gap across the Queensland public sector fell by 30% in just over three years.
Linda chaired the Queensland Work Health and Safety Board (2017–2021), appointed in the wake of the Dreamworld tragedy to reset the state’s WHS regulatory direction.
Linda brings excellent analytical skills, conducting robust research and analysis and converting that into practical interventions for organisations. She has produced more than 40 peer-reviewed publications and 50+ conference papers on gender equality, public management reform and workplace regulation. Earlier public service roles spanning industrial relations, workforce strategy and policy across several departments round out a career built at the intersection of policy, people and law.