Kate Vinot

Principal

Kate Vinot

I believe that the effective implementation of strategies enable organisations to rise to the challenges of sustainable development. By thinking longer and wider using a sustainability lens, organisations learn to manage their risks, are prepared for opportunities in a changed environment and can motivate their employees to lead new approaches to business in the community.

Kate specialises in the development and practical implementation of more sustainable approaches to business practices and government policy. She brings both strong commercial acumen and technical/operational experience gained in working as part of the executive team within public, private and government organisations. A skilled speaker and facilitator, Kate’s experience encompasses strategic planning, policy development, stakeholder engagement, risk management, research and innovation, business leadership and corporate governance.

Read more
Contact Kate Vinot

Kate has worked across construction, mining, petroleum, manufacturing, water and wastewater, pulp and paper, packaging and recycling. She operated at an executive level in the manufacturing and utilities sector from 2000 to 2011 leading sustainability, risk management and innovation programs, and building understanding, capability and technical leadership of staff. She has an extensive knowledge of regulatory and policy frameworks with particular emphasis on environment, energy/carbon, water and waste.

Project experience

Strategy development and facilitation

  • led the development and implementation of the environment strategy for a major manufacturing business
  • led the establishment and implementation of robust greenhouse and climate change strategies for three major organisations
  • developed and implemented an innovation program for a major water company
  • led the development and implementation of strategic plans for a government business and publicly listed utility, including facilitation with internal and external stakeholders
  • facilitated numerous strategic planning days for business, government and not-for-profits
  • developed value-adding environmental and sustainability reporting processes with several major mining and energy companies.

Public policy development

  • developed strategies and policies on climate change, water supply and demand, sustainable water management, waste and packaging and sustainable transport with industry counterparts
  • member of the Bush for Greenhouse working group, the Business Leaders Forum on Climate Change, the Business Council of Australia Sustainable Development Task Force, the Water Industry Skills Task Force, the Reference Group for the Victorian Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability and the Australian Pulp, Paper and Plantations Energy and Environment committee.

Sustainability

  • worked sustainability back into core business strategy by focussing on material risks and opportunities, and supported it through employee engagement, decision-making tools and through robust, verifiable data and systems • integrated sustainability with core business strategies and annual reports, and developed tailored approaches to meet specific stakeholder needs.
  • developed and implemented sustainability strategies for organisations in the public and private sectors.

Education / accreditation / board membership

  • Australian Institute of Company Directors Course (in progress)
  • Masters of Business Administration (Executive), Melbourne Business School.
  • Certificate IV Workplace Assessment and Training, Victoria University of Technology
  • Masters of Science in Economics for Development, Oxford University
  • Bachelor of Engineering (Civil), Melbourne University
  • Director, Water Stewardship Australia
  • Fellow, Institute of Engineers Australia
  • Member of Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee (2006-09)
  • Fellow, Williamson Community Leadership Program.

Past employment

Kate was technical director at Veolia Water Australia from 2009 to 2011, with responsibility for business planning, business systems, OHS, environment, sustainability, asset management, risk management and business continuity, corporate governance and business improvement/ innovation. Prior to that, Kate held executive general manager positions at South East Water and Visy Industries. Earlier in her career, Kate was principal consultant at URS Corporation in France, the Czech Republic and Australia.

Interests

Kate is passionate about hiking and sailing, and loves travelling with her four daughters and husband.