Experience

Avril Henry and Associates

• Australia
• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founder & CFO

  • 2003 - Present

  Completed a ministerial review for the Minister of defence into Branding, Recruitment & Retention in the Australian Army, Airforce and Navy. Of the 59 recommendations we made, 56 were approved by the Senate, and I was appointed as a Strategic Advisor to the Chief of Navy, the first female,civilian to be appointed to that position, and to the Navy People & Capability Committee, a position I held for 12 years. Completed a ministerial review for the Minister of defence into Branding, Recruitment & Retention in the Australian Army, Airforce and Navy. Of the 59 recommendations we made, 56 were approved by the Senate, and I was appointed as a Strategic Advisor to the Chief of Navy, the first female,civilian to be appointed to that position, and to the Navy People & Capability Committee, a position I held for 12 years.



Mentor Walks

• Australia
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Business Mentor

  • 2016 - Present

  Mentor Walks mentors are senior women from diverse backgrounds and industries who want to help and mentor women to succeed in business and life. We are from all walks of life and backgrounds, public and private sector, Not-For-Profit, business, science, the arts, sports and professional services, to name a few. We meet once a month in major cities and regional areas and mentor women while walking and sharing ideas, information and career advice. Mentor Walks mentors are senior women from diverse backgrounds and industries who want to help and mentor women to succeed in business and life. We are from all walks of life and backgrounds, public and private sector, Not-For-Profit, business, science, the arts, sports and professional services, to name a few. We meet once a month in major cities and regional areas and mentor women while walking and sharing ideas, information and career advice.


AFR Westpac 100 Women of Influence
• Diversity Expert

  • 2015 - Present

Australian Institute of Executive Coaches
• Accredited Coach

  • 2002 - Present

CJC Management Pty Ltd
• Deputy Chair & NED

  • 2018 - 2020


Catch Up 4 Women

• Chairperson

  • 2018 - 2020

  Catch Up 4 Women Australia was a Not-For-Profit which was focussed on addressing the financial security, homelessness and social isolation of Australian women over the age of 55 years. Unfortunately due to COVID and a reduction in funding, the group and therefore the advisory board was disbanded, at such a critical time in society for older, vulnerable women. Catch Up 4 Women Australia was a Not-For-Profit which was focussed on addressing the financial security, homelessness and social isolation of Australian women over the age of 55 years. Unfortunately due to COVID and a reduction in funding, the group and therefore the advisory board was disbanded, at such a critical time in society for older, vulnerable women.


Property Circles
• Real Estate
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Advisory Board Member

  • 2017 - 2020

Australian Army
• Australia
• Armed Forces
• 700 & Above Employee
• Snr Advisor to Chief of Army

  • Jul 2013 - 2020

NOW Australia
• Australia
• Non-profit Organizations
• Deputy Chair & NED

  • 2018 - 2019


Royal Australian Navy

• Australia
• Armed Forces
• 700 & Above Employee

• Strategic Advisor, People, Culture & Capability

  • 2006 - 2019

  I was the first civilian and only female on the Navy's People & Capability Committee for the first 6 years (2006 - 2012), appointed by the then Chief of Navy, ADML Rus Crane; later other women within Navy joined the committee, however I remained the only civilian on the board until my resignation. I was the longest serving member of the committee, including navy members, serving 3 different Chiefs of Navy. I resigned as I thought 12 years was an extensive period of service, and encouraged the current CN to appoint someone new from the public. I worked on 6 key change managment programs, including developing leadership programs for officers, and a leadership de3velopment program for progressing women into senior leadership roles in the navy and broader defence force. Both programs were highly successful, and the women's program continues to be delivered across defence, for over a decade. I have done executive coaching with senior officers (1- and 2-star level) since 2014, which has included career transition coaching from navy to a new career in corporate Australia, for senior officers leaving the service. Show less


CanToo Foundation
• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• Non Executive Director

  • 2016 - 2018

Thought Leaders Consulting Group
• Business Consulting and Services
• Member

  • 2006 - 2011


Hands Across the Water Australia

• Director

  • 2007 - 2009

  Not-For-Profit charity raising money to build orphanages, educational and community facilities for children who lost their parents in the Boxing Day Tsunami, 2004. During my time on the board, we raised over AUD1 Million, and built and opened the first orphanage in Khao Lak, Thailand. Not-For-Profit charity raising money to build orphanages, educational and community facilities for children who lost their parents in the Boxing Day Tsunami, 2004. During my time on the board, we raised over AUD1 Million, and built and opened the first orphanage in Khao Lak, Thailand.


National Diversity Think Tank
• President

  • 2001 - 2004

Clayton Utz Lawyers
• Australia
• National Director Human Resources

  • 2001 - 2003

Merrill Lynch
• United States
• Financial Services
• 700 & Above Employee
• HR Director Australasia

  • 1998 - 2001

Business and Professional Women Association- Amman (BPWA)
• Jordan
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee
• President

  • 1999 - 2000

DMR Consulting
• United Kingdom
• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee
• HR Director Asia Pacific

  • 1996 - 1998

NSW EEO Practitioners' Association (NEEOPA)
• President

  • 1994 - 1998


Westpac

• Australia
• Banking
• 700 & Above Employee

• National Diversity Manager

  • 1994 - 1996

• National Diversity Manager

  • 1994 - 1996


Barclays Australia
• Financial Services
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Manager, Management Reporting

  • 1985 - 1988