Kat Thompson

Co-founder & CEO.

MAICD

FAIM

CPHR

Kat is a bold business leader and strategic HR architect who sits at the intersection of people strategy, organisational design, technology and culture. With nearly two decades of experience, she partners with executives and leadership teams to translate complex organisational challenges into clear, actionable and future-focused people solutions. Known for her systems-thinking approach, Kat designs HR strategies and operating models that balance rigorous governance with human outcomes. Her work is grounded in evidence-based decision making, using data, insight and technology to strengthen organisational capability, reinforce accountability and enable sustainable growth. As Co-Founder and CEO of Zest, Kat leads the firm’s vision to deliver modern, tech-enabled HR and organisational development solutions that help organisations scale, adapt and thrive in an evolving world of work.

Background

Kat brings extensive experience across HR strategy, organisational development, leadership capability, governance and digital HR transformation. She is particularly passionate about designing integrated people systems that improve decision quality, embed a strong culture and drive performance.
Some examples of Kat’s work include:

Leading enterprise-wide HR strategy and operating model design to align people systems with organisational growth and strategic objectives.
Partnering with executive teams and boards to embed governance, workforce planning and organisational capability frameworks that support accountability and long-term sustainability.
Driving digital HR transformation and HRIS implementations that go beyond efficiency to improve insight, decision making and organisational effectiveness.
Designing leadership development and capability uplift programs that strengthen culture, performance and succession readiness.
Supporting organisations through complex change initiatives, ensuring strategy lands with people in a practical and human-centred way.
Using people analytics and workforce insight to challenge assumptions, identify risks and inform strategic workforce decisions.

Kat’s strength lies in blending strategic clarity with practical delivery. She works closely with leaders to build people strategies that are robust, scalable and aligned to organisational reality.

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

Philosophy

Kat believes that the future of work demands courage, clarity and continual adaptation. By designing people systems that reinforce behaviour, accountability and culture, organisations can create environments where both people and performance flourish.

Qualifications

Bachelor Of Business Learning & Organisational Development
Certificate IV Training & Assessment
Mental Health First Aid
Print Profile Certification

Skills

HR & Workforce Strategy
Organisational Design & Operating Models
Digital HR Strategy & System-Enabled Change
People Analytics & Insight-Led Decision Making
Governance & Strategic Advisory
Leadership Development & Capability Design
Change Management & Transformation
Stakeholder Engagement & Executive Partnering

Our team is a group of passionate, curious, and human-first thinkers dedicated to transforming workplaces and helping people and organisations thrive together.