Nicola Hazell

Non-Executive Director, The Parenthood

Melbourne

Nicola Hazell is one of Australia's leading voices on women’s leadership and social innovation.

With a career spanning journalism, politics, public affairs, and tech, she is an expert in communication for social change; working with companies and organisations around the world to build investment in inclusion and diversity across the startup, corporate and public sectors.

Nicola has presented on leadership and inclusion to global audiences, at multiple OECD Forums on Inclusive Growth and Digital Transformation in Paris, the APEC Women Business Leaders’ Summit in Seoul, International Women's Forum Australian Symposium, Tech Inclusion, Myriad, Pause Fest and Vogue Codes.

A champion for women in tech and entrepreneurship, Nicola was the founding director and designer of the SheStarts accelerator for female-led startups. Under her leadership, SheStarts was named Australasian Accelerator of the Year and attracted significant international backing, including Google for Startups.

Nicola holds significant pedigree in media and social affairs, and has worked with leading political journalist Laurie Oakes, as senior advisor to Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, and as a senior leader with national NGOs Mission Australia and the Foundation for Young Australians.

Nicola is a passionate believer in a collective effort to achieve gender equality, acting as a mentor, judge and activator for a range of programs including Telstra Business Women's Awards, Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards, Walkley Awards and SheEO Australia.