Meet the Commissioner
Dr Niki Vincent is an award-winning leader and changemaker with a diverse background spanning statutory offices, academia, business, and the community sector. She currently serves as Victoria’s inaugural Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner, where she leads the implementation of Australia’s first Gender Equality Act, driving systemic change across 300 organisations, 450,000 employees, and the broader community.
With a PhD in Psychology (adult development and leadership), Dr Vincent’s career has included statutory office and senior executive roles such as South Australia’s Commissioner for Equal Opportunity, CEO of the Leaders Institute of South Australia, Member of the Remuneration Tribunal of SA, and multiple research leadership positions. She has also worked internationally on major public health projects.
She currently holds several board and advisory roles, including with the Centre for Workplace Excellence (University of South Australia), and with Jobs and Skills Australia's Gender Economic Equality Study. She is a member of the Victoria Selection Committee for the Public Service Medal and holds an Adjunct Associate Professorship with UniSA.
A Nationally Accredited Mediator and graduate of a Harvard Kennedy School leadership program, Dr Vincent has received several honours, including two University Medals, a Telstra Business Woman of the Year SA finalist award, and an Australian Leadership Award.
Dr Vincent is known for her clarity of purpose, depth of experience, and commitment to equity and justice, as well as being an engaging speaker, advisor, and advocate. She is passionate about gender equality, inclusive leadership, evidence-informed policy, and using data to drive social impact.
She is the mother of 4 adult children, as well as 3 young adult foster and stepchildren. She is an avid hiker, nature-lover, cinema-goer and Radio National podcast listener.
What is the Commissioner’s role?
The Commissioner's role is to:
- promote and advance the objectives of the Act
- support defined entities to improve gender equality and comply with the Act
- provide advice and education to defined entities to encourage best practice
- resolve disputes in workplaces relating to systemic gender equality issues
- publish and share Gender Equality Action Plans and progress reports.
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