Prabha Nandagopal: Transforming workplaces with respect, inclusion, and innovative solutions.
Prabha Nandagopal is an award-winning human rights and discrimination lawyer and advocate, having worked over 18 years in a variety of areas from business and human rights to asylum seeker and refugee policy.
Prabha is an innovative changemaker renowned for her ability to challenge the status quo and develop achievable solutions to complex systemic problems. Prabha has led the development of groundbreaking recommendations on numerous high-profile workplace cultural reviews, including the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces and the National Music Industry Review into sexual harm, sexual harassment and systemic discrimination. In 2023, she worked alongside Elizabeth Broderick on the Independent Review into Workplace Culture at EY Oceania.
Prabha spent many years at the coalface of human rights in Australia, tirelessly working to protect the rights of asylum seekers and refugees through advocacy, strategic litigation and policy reform. As one of Australia’s foremost experts on immigration detention law and policy, in 2014, she led the landmark National Inquiry into Children in Detention.
She is the founder of Elevate Consulting Partners and SafeSpace@elevate, which she established to support and strengthen the work of organisations committed to positive social change. Prabha has a proven track record of leading high-performance teams in sensitive and complex environments. She combines her fiercely sharp intellect, empathy, and courage to create positive workplace cultures and drives successful business outcomes.
Prabha wants to empower organisations with the leadership mindset and strategies to create safe, respectful, diverse and inclusive workplaces where every individual can thrive. Drawing from her tremendous career at the forefront of the country’s most complex human rights issues, she is a vibrant and compelling speaker leaving audiences inspired to take action.
In 2024, Prabha won the India Australia Business & Community Award for Business Leader of the Year and was a finalist in the Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards.
Talking Points
Shifting the dial on safety and respect in the workplace
Prabha Nandagopal is a nationally recognised leader in workplace culture and a trusted advocate for fostering respect and inclusion. Shifting the dial on safety and respect in the workplace
As Senior Legal Advisor on the Respect@Work National Inquiry and Director of Legal for the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces, Prabha has played a pivotal role in shaping laws and policies that transform workplace environments.
In 2023, she established the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Positive Duty Monitoring and Enforcement Team, leading the development of the compliance framework for the new positive duty to eliminate workplace sexual harassment.
Prabha is also the founder of Elevate Consulting Partners, a practice dedicated to supporting organisations and industries in building inclusive, respectful workplaces. She collaborates with boards of ASX-listed companies and is a respected public commentator on eliminating workplace sexual harassment.
During this keynote, Prabha will share her extensive experience in developing the positive duty framework and supporting Australia’s most high-profile organisations in reshaping their workplace cultures.
Key Learnings:
1. The critical role of leadership in driving thriving workplace cultures.
2. Insights into the root causes of toxic workplace behaviours.
3. Strategies to safeguard all workers through an intersectional approach.
4. Moving beyond compliance to become an employer of choice
Prabha’s insights will equip leaders and teams with actionable tools to create workplaces that are safe, inclusive, and conducive to success.
Human RIghts Protection in Australia
Australia's approach to human rights protection, particularly concerning asylum seekers and refugees, has sparked ongoing debate about the country’s compliance with international human rights standards. In this talk, Prabha Nandagopal will delve into the complexities of Australia's policies and practices, highlighting the urgent need for reform. She will argue for the implementation of a comprehensive Human Rights Act to enshrine protections and align Australia with its international obligations. The discussion will explore the human impact of current policies, Australia’s international standing, and the transformative potential of legislative change to protect the most vulnerable.Human RIghts Protection in Australia
Key Takeaways:
- The Human Cost of Policy Choices. Insight into the lived experiences of asylum seekers and refugees affected by Australia's immigration and detention policies. The systemic barriers to justice and protection faced by vulnerable communities. The Case for a Human Rights Act in Australia
- Why Australia remains one of the only Western democracies without a federal Human Rights Act. How a Human Rights Act could safeguard fundamental freedoms, protect vulnerable populations, and provide legal recourse for human rights violations.
- Analysis of how Australia’s current policies on asylum seekers and refugees impact its reputation on the global stage.
- Opportunities for Australia to strengthen its position as a human rights leader through legislative reform and policy alignment with international treaties.
- Intersectionality in Human Rights Advocacy. The importance of addressing intersectional vulnerabilities, including the compounded impact of race, gender, and socio-economic status on asylum seekers and refugees.
- Actionable Solutions and Pathways Forward. Recommendations for policymakers, legal practitioners, and advocates to drive meaningful change. The role of civil society and community leaders in shaping a more just and humane future.
The Workplace as a Vessel for Positive Social Shange
In today’s world, the workplace is more than just a space for employment—it’s one of the most influential environments in a person’s life. Research shows that managers impact employees’ mental health as much as their spouses, underscoring the immense responsibility and opportunity leaders hold. By recognising workplaces as vessels for societal change, leaders can create safer, more inclusive environments that extend beyond office walls into homes and communities. This keynote explores how investment in workplace culture and education has ripple effects, fostering respect, equity, and psychological safety both at work and in everyday life. With expertise in shaping workplace legislation, I guide leaders in embedding proactive cultural change—ensuring compliance becomes a byproduct of excellence, not the goal.The Workplace as a Vessel for Positive Social Shange
Key Takeaways:
- Workplaces Shape Society: The workplace is one of the most influential environments in a person’s life, impacting mental health, home life, and broader community interactions.
- Leadership’s Influence: Nearly 70% of employees say their manager influences their mental health as much as their spouse—leaders have a profound opportunity to drive positive change.
- Beyond Compliance: Organisations that prioritise respect, equity, and psychological safety aren’t just meeting legal requirements—they are shaping the future of workplace culture.
- The Ripple Effect: Investing in safer, more inclusive workplaces leads to cultural shifts that extend beyond work, influencing families and communities.
- Proactive Leadership: Leaders who embrace workplace transformation today will always stay ahead of evolving workplace legislation, fostering sustainable, systemic change.
- Practical Steps for Change: From workplace training to personal reflection, leaders can take actionable steps to challenge gendered norms, call out biases, and create more inclusive spaces in every aspect of life.
Intersectional gender equality
Intersectional gender equality is essential for addressing the diverse challenges faced by women and gender-diverse individuals in Australia. Traditional approaches often overlook how overlapping identities—such as race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, disability, and sexuality—compound inequalities. In this keynote, Prabha explores the importance of embracing an intersectional lens to achieve meaningful gender equality. Drawing on her extensive experience in human rights advocacy and workplace culture transformation, Prabha highlights the gaps in Australia’s current frameworks and presents actionable strategies to create equitable systems that uplift all individuals, regardless of their intersecting identities.Intersectional gender equality
Key Takeaways
- Understanding Intersectionality in Gender Equality. How overlapping forms of discrimination (e.g., sexism, racism, ableism) impact individuals differently. The importance of addressing intersectionality to achieve genuine equality and inclusion.
- The Current State of Gender Equality in Australia: Insights into Australia’s progress and persistent gaps in achieving gender equality. The disproportionate impact of systemic barriers on marginalised groups.
- The Role of Leadership in Driving Change: Why leaders must adopt an intersectional approach to create inclusive policies and cultures. Practical steps for embedding intersectionality into leadership, governance, and decision-making.
- Reimagining Systems and Policies: Strategies to redesign workplaces, education, healthcare, and legal systems with intersectionality at their core. Examples of best practices and successful interventions.
- Actionable Pathways for Advocacy and Reform: Tools for individuals, organizations, and governments to advance intersectional gender equality. How collaboration and allyship can amplify impact and foster systemic change.
This keynote will inspire audiences to move beyond surface-level solutions and embrace transformative practices that create a more inclusive and equitable Australia for all.
