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About Cathy

“What Cathy Burke has to say should be listened to.”

Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa Former Vice President of Uganda

Cathy Burke knows what happens when people awaken to what’s possible.

For 20 years, Cathy was the CEO for The Hunger Project Australia, and then Global Vice President, working to end hunger across South Asia and Africa. She was an integral member of a visionary team that developed leadership at scale in villages all over the world. Through her work, millions of the world’s poorest people stepped into their leadership and were able to feed themselves and their families.

Cathy’s understanding of leadership was shaped in these contexts. She saw firsthand that while resources matter, it is mindset and belief that open the door to what’s truly possible.

Today, as a speaker, coach, and trusted advisor, Cathy partners with CEOs, executive teams, and senior leaders navigating complexity and growth. Her work helps organisations move beyond business-as-usual — shifting limiting mindsets, strengthening alignment, and unlocking the deeper leadership needed to meet today’s challenges.

Whether working with global companies including Amazon, Google, and eBay, or mission-driven organisations such as Achieve Australia and Northcott, Cathy supports leaders to meet complexity with clarity and soul.

Cathy is the Global Ambassador for The Hunger Project, Advisory Board member for Mind Medicine Australia, and the winner of the Australian Davos leadership award, and AFR Women of Influence award. She is the author of Today I Saw a Revolution: From Grassroots to Global Change (2024); Lead In: Mindsets to Lead, Live and Work Differently (2022); and Unlikely Leaders: Lessons in Leadership from the Village Classroom (2015).

What Others Say

About Cathy

“Cathy’s expertise on mindsets and leadership leads to exceptional results. Her success comes from making those she works with accountable, empowered, and ready for their success. She has made me a better leader, father, and friend.”

Joris Heeze, Director, Google

‘Cathy has a unique ability to make a difference in any setting. Her understanding of people, leadership and change – and how she distils this and makes it relevant – is a rare gift.’

Alison Watkins, Director, Reserve Bank of Australia Board; Former Group MD, Coca-Cola Amatil

“I have worked with Cathy in three different companies across multiple cultures around the world, and this has made me a better senior leader and a more aligned, complete person.”

Steve Boehm. COO, Barings

“Cathy has been instrumental in implementing a mindset change across my Leadership Team, which turned a legacy business into a future focused, dynamic enterprise.”

Nick Nairn, CEO, Stuart Alexanders

“I credit Cathy’s advice, experience, and programs in my success in growing a non-profit globally across 100 countries reaching 10 million people.”

Scarlett Lewis, Founder and Chief Movement Officer, Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement

“Cathy listened to our team’s challenges and partnered with us to tackle opportunities together. She has helped my team think differently and guided us to find our own solutions.”

Hiromi Kuehm, Director, Amazon Japan

“What I learned from Cathy motivated me to create programs for women which this year were recognized as “diversity initiative of the year” by Women in IT. “

Trina Limpert, President, Women@eBay

“Coaching with Cathy has changed the way I think, the way I view the world, and what I see is possible.”

Janelle King, CEO and Founder, Omnium Technology

“Working with Cathy has simplified my workload, and transformed my perfectionist, type-A tendencies into a leadership style I genuinely love and am proud of.

Georgina Davies, CEO and Founder

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