Kat Thompson, MAICD, FAIM, MAHRI

Co-Founder
Chief Executive Officer

Pure pragmatism can’t imagine a bold future. 

Pure idealism can’t get anything done. 

It’s when the two cooperate that magic happens.

Simon Sinek

Kat is a bold business leader whose expertise lies at the intersection of strategy, brand, and culture, with a proven track record of delivering high-impact initiatives. Kat has held senior management and executive roles across a variety of industries including retail, finance, health, and professional services in the public and private sector. Kat brings strategic business insight, energy, and humour to her role as CEO & Co-founder of ZestHR.

Kat Thompson

Highlights

With nearly 20 years of experience in the people and culture sector, Kat has become a respected figure in the industry. During her time at ZestHR, Kat has led the delivery of:

  • Learning and Development reviews and operating model design for several public and private institutions.
  • A number of reviews and operating model design for business support functions for public sector clients.
  • Tailored leadership and management programs for a range of private clients, including medical research and professional services.
  • A revised organisational strategy and action plan for a Perth-based consultancy business.
  • People and culture strategy, roadmap, and architecture for a private hospital.

Kat’s passion for connecting and empowering the Perth HR industry has led her to chair the WA HR Leaders Summit 2023 and 2024.

Kat’s strength lies in tackling complex strategic challenges, projects, and programmes by providing clarity and simplicity to the process while connecting deeply with stakeholders to gain meaningful insight and high levels of engagement through co-design processes. The result? Practical interventions for thriving workplaces.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Business – Learning & Organisational Development
  • Certificate IV Training & Assessment
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • PRINT Profile Certification

Skills

  • Strategy development & execution
  • Complex project & program management
  • Governance
  • Strategic workforce planning
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Change management
  • Communications
  • Culture development
  • Employee engagement
  • Learning & development
  • Mentoring & coaching
  • Leadership & management