Avril Henry

Avril Henry

Internationally Acclaimed Keynote Speaker  |  Game Changer  |  Author  |  Leadership Strategist  |  Provocateur
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About Avril

“Avril Henry is the Founder and Executive Director of Avril Henry & Associates. She is an acclaimed keynote speaker, consultant, coach, mentor and author, who is passionate about diversity and ...”

Avril Henry is the Founder and Executive Director of Avril Henry & Associates. She is an acclaimed keynote speaker, consultant, coach, mentor and author, who is passionate about diversity and inclusion, developing collaborative leaders and positive workplaces. Over 16 years her consulting business has worked with organisations to change their culture and build their leadership capability. Avril’s career has spanned senior roles in finance, project management, change management and human resources in South Africa, Australia, the UK and USA.

In 2015 Avril was named one of the AFR Westpac 100 Women of Influence in Australia, and one of the 10 most influential women in the diversity space. She has been recognised by the Human Rights Commission and received business awards in Australia and the USA, for her diversity programs. She has received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement in HR Award at the Australian Human Resources Awards and received a global award for Excellence in Leadership Coaching.

Avril has been a senior advisor on cultural transformation, gender and diversity to the Chief of Defence, Chief of Army, Australia; the ACT Commissioner of Emergency Services and was a member of the Navy People & Capability Committee. Avril has coached Generals and Brigadiers in the Australian Army, including the Chief of Army and Head of Special Forces. Her clients cover banks, mining, construction, IT, health, universities, pharmaceuticals and biotech’s, and state & federal government departments

Avril has a degree in accounting and economics from the University of Cape Town, is an accredited coach and did post graduate studies in Human Resources at AGSM and leadership at Harvard Business School. She is a Fellow of CPA Australia, Senior Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Managers and Leaders, Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and member of the AHRI.

Avril is on the boards of My Property Circles (property investment) and CJC Management (engineering and construction) and is the Chair of Catch Up Australia (to address financial security of women over 55). She has served on the boards of NOW Australia (addressing sexual harassment in Australian workplaces), the Can Too Foundation (raising money for cancer research through fitness programs) and several industry association bodies.

She is the author and co-author of several books on leadership, the different generations at work and gender. Avril is a regular panellist on TV on ABC’s The Drum, ABC national radio and writes for several business magazines. She lives in Sydney with her husband and two Spoodles, who keep her grounded!

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Change management, organisational culture, diversity and inclusion, leadership development, communication strategies, and EQ & resilience profiling.

What people say about Avril

Avril has been a pioneer in cautioning people – particularly the stale pale males like me – that not all people think alike. The 1960s and 1970s showed the importance of gender, race and multiculturalism. Generational differences are now also significant, as we transition from the Baby Boomers to Generation X and Generation Y. Over the decades Avril has been the warning voice alerting us to the importance of these matters. She is no longer a voice in the wilderness, because much of what she has had to say has now become conventional wisdom. Avril shows once again that leadership matters: leaders make a difference.

– Keith Suter, Political Commentator and Managing Director (Global Dire)

Avril has the business savvy that many organisations dream of. Her messages are always challenging and to ignore them, you do so at your peril.

– Darren Watt, Managing Director Australasia (Golder Associates Pty Ltd )

I simply loved your presentation. As a professional MC, I see countless professional speakers each year, many of whom do not live up to the hype. You totally exceeded all the great things I have heard about you from colleagues on the circuit over the years. It was a terrific, insightful, thoroughly engaging presentation and many of the delegates were talking about it for the next few days.

– RCSA Conference

Avril's books

Secrets of Inspiring Leaders Exposed

Secrets of Inspiring Leaders Exposed

Did you realise your leadership ability will ultimately determine the degree of your success? In this book, Avril joins twelve other extraordinary people who have mastered the art of leadership, and provide their personal insights on becoming an exceptional person of influence.

Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders Today – Breaking Down Generation Barriers at Work

Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders Today – Breaking Down Generation Barriers at Work

In this constantly evolving world, it is crucial to build inclusive, collaborative relationships that enable us to achieve personal, professional and organisational goals. Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders Today brings a unique approach to this highly topical issue and dispels many of the myths and stereotypes.

Leadership Revelations – An Australian Perspective

Leadership Revelations – An Australian Perspective

Leadership Revelations – An Australian Perspective provides insights from our top business and organisational leaders. The book addresses important skills that can be developed, and the case for creating positive work environments.

Leadership Revelations II – How Australians Lead in Crises

Leadership Revelations II – How Australians Lead in Crises

The concept of Leadership Revelations II How Australians Lead In Crises was to revisit past contributors & introduce some new contributors to ask them how operating in a financial crisis of global significance, coupled with global and domestic political instability, has changed both their organisation and their own leadership style.

Leadership Revelations III – How we Achieve Gender Tipping Point

Leadership Revelations III – How we Achieve Gender Tipping Point

This is not a book about problems and what’s wrong with women, it is a book which seeks to reveal practical strategies for creating solutions and change management options for creating gender equality for all, women and men. This is not a book about fixing women – women don’t need fixing – the system and our attitudes do!