Introduction
Kirsten Newitt is Head of LRQA’s North America Advisory team and a Director in LRQA’s global Advisory practice. She is an expert on gender and inclusion, labour rights and employment and has consulted with leading international organisations and financial institutions. Kirsten brings extensive experience in strategic advisory, research and training, helping organisations embed gender equality and labour rights into business operations and investment strategies.
Biography
As a Director at Ergon, which became a part of LRQA in 2024, Kirsten has worked with leading international organisations, development finance institutions, investors and multinational companies, including IFC, EBRD, BII, ILO and the World Bank. She has led the design and delivery of core advisory methodologies on gender and GBVH (gender-based violence and harassment), safeguarding and labour rights.
Kirsten advises clients on practical measures to improve working conditions, promote women’s employment and leadership, assess and mitigate gender-related risks and strengthen organisational policies and practices. Her experience spans multiple sectors, including energy, renewables, infrastructure, agribusiness, manufacturing, services, finance and transport. Kirsten has also authored or co-authored leading reports on labour standards, women’s economic empowerment and gender equality for a number of global organisations.
Prior to joining Ergon, Kirsten provided advice on labour and occupational health and safety to government agencies in Australia and Fiji, and practised as a lawyer in Australia. She holds a BA(Hons) / LLB(Hons) from the University of Melbourne.
