The Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) has announced Estelle Parker and Dean Hegarty will become the organisation’s Co-CEOs in early December. Parker and Hegarty are currently Executive Managers at the association and will take over from current CEO Simon O’Connor, who has spent nearly 11 years in the role. Ross Piper, Chair of the RIAA board, explained that the Co-CEO model was selected to “foster a cohesive and diverse leadership structure, ensuring strong coverage across Australia and New Zealand”. He added that Parker and Hegarty’s “distinct yet complementary skillsets” will ensure a “well-rounded and dynamic leadership approach”. At the RIAA, Parker has been a key figure in expanding the association’s Certification Programme. She has also led external engagements, including convening the official Australasian Consultation Group for the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and participating in government stakeholder committees. Hegarty is RIAA’s first Aotearoa New Zealand-based executive and has played a “pivotal role” in enhancing the organisation’s activity and presence in Australia and New Zealand. He has more than ten years of experience leading teams in the non-profit sector and at RIAA has driven the creation of a new membership model and engagement strategy, as well as helping to develop “key industry partnerships”. “As RIAA enters an exciting new chapter, we are confident in the capable hands of our Co-CEOs, who have already been integral to RIAA’s leadership and mission,” Parker said.
We're thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our leadership journey. Our current Executive Managers, Estelle Parker and Dean Hegarty, are stepping up as Co-CEOs at Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA). Read the full media release: https://t.co/ncuexauqro pic.twitter.com/0TL9iKyIjQ
— RIAA (@RIAANews) November 22, 2023
