Meet the Team
The Cultivate Sponsorship Story.
Katriina Tähkä
Katriina is an expert in people, culture and creating great places to work for everyone.
An employment lawyer by training she has worked in financial services, infrastructure and the legal profession; leading national talent, diversity and leadership portfolios. A ‘people person’ with a serious commercial spine, Katriina understands what it takes to make real, sustainable change happen.
Katriina Tähkä
Katriina identifies as an Australian Born Finn, making social justice, equality and respect for all people (and nature) a part of her DNA.
Katriina founded Cultivate Sponsorship in 2017 to solve the problem of differential access to career pathways within organisations which perpetuates the lack of diverse leadership in our beautiful country.
Katriina is a former Director of the Diversity Council Australia (DCA) and appointed by the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC) as an Intercultural Leader for the Intercultural Leaders project. Katriina gives back to her community in her role as Chair of the Board of Finncare.
Liam Harte
Liam is a founder, non-executive director and a freshwater saltwater man from the Dunghutti area of coastal Northern NSW.
As a purpose-driven First Nations leader holding positions with not-for-profits, government and corporate boards, he possesses extensive hands-on experience delivering strategic and targeted outcomes for communities in partnership with industry, government and academic sectors nationally.
Liam is a Director of Cultivate Indigenous, Co-Founder of GIRA Group and Co-Chair of the Health Professional Councils Authority NSW Cultural Safety Advisory and Working Group.
Carlyn Waters
Carlyn is a Kamilaroi woman who has connections to both NSW and Queensland.
Her passion has always been ensuring that there are First Nations people in all levels within her organisation and the public sector. She is known for her ability to identify and grow talented individuals to reach their full potential inside and outside the Australian Public Service.
Carlyn has held senior positions in the Australian Government as well as operated a side hustle as a business consultant. She is currently a Senior Fellow in the Practice of Business with The Australian University’s College of Business and Economics and a director of the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife.
Rebecca Halliday
Rebecca possesses a deep understanding and lived experience of First Nations affairs as a proud Aboriginal woman.
In her role as Director, she brings innovative approaches to every engagement, is a trusted cultural adviser in developing strategy and policy that works to drive transformative change.
Rebecca is Co-Founder of GIRA Group and advisor to Government as part of the Construction Expert Working Group. She has a passion for engagement that realises authentic partnerships between government, industry and First Nations communities.
