Be the Change
DE+I Leadership for Every Role
TechDiversity, is proud to partner with the Australian Computer Society (ACS), and announce the return of TechDiversity Academy—launching again this September 2025.
This isn’t just a course. It’s a call to action.
As our tech workforce grapples with the challenges of inclusive leadership, cultural change, and meaningful progress, the Academy offers a practical, data-backed pathway to build DEI literacy at every level of leadership.
Whether you’re leading a team, a function, or a transformation program—you can be the change.
What’s New This Year?
For the first time, the Academy is backed by TechReflects—a world-first national dataset that reveals who we really are in Australia’s tech workforce.
- Who’s included—and who’s missing?
- Where are the gaps in representation, influence, and opportunity?
- How does your organisation reflect the society it serves?
Tech Reflects shows us where we are.
TD Academy helps you lead the way forward.
The Program
Across three impactful modules, the Academy bridges the gap between awareness and action. Each module is infused with insights from the TechReflects study to help you understand where we are now—and what needs to change.
✔️ Module 1 – DE+I Fundamentals: Grounded in TechReflects
Unpack the foundations of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion through the lens of real- data. Explore why DEI matters now more than ever—and what the data says about the current state of play in our Australian tech ecosystem.
✔️Module 2 – Contemporary Trends and Challenges: Making Sense of the Gaps
Dig into TechReflects data to explore trends across intersectionality, neurodivergence, generational shifts, and underrepresentation. Learn how these realities show up in the workforce—and how leaders can respond with empathy, structure, and courage.
✔️Module 3 – Becoming a DE+I Literate Organisation: Turning Insight Into Impact
Close the loop between data and action. Learn how to build inclusive systems, foster psychological safety, and embed DEI into your organisation’s leadership DNA. Walk away with practical tools to build influence and lead systemic change.
Anyone ready to embed DE+I into their everyday leadership?
🎯 Who Should Join?
The Academy is built for professionals ready to lead with purpose, including:
- Team Leaders and Mid-Level Managers
- Heads of Product, Tech, Delivery & Transformation
- UX, Data, Design, Marketing, People & Culture professionals
- Sales, Legal, Finance, Ops & Comms leaders
Anyone ready to embed DEI into their everyday leadership
💡 Why It Works
TechReflects = Data + Trends + Awareness
TD Academy = Application + Action + Transformation
Together, they empower you to:
- Understand where your organisation stands
- Lead with clarity and confidence
- Drive inclusive growth in tech
📅 Starts September 2025
Delivered online | Flexible schedule | Designed for working professionals
👇 Register Your Interest Today
Be first in line for updates, early access events, and exclusive insights.
Watch these informative videos
DE+I facilitator, Veronica Pardo discusses The Academy.
DEI specialist, Dr. Nandi Spry shares her experience in the 2023 TD Academy Course.
Meet the Facilitators
“As facilitators, we’re so gratified by the generous and warm response of participants to the inaugural TD Academy Course. The success of the course has been reliant on the robust and rigorous discussion of contemporary DE+I practice that the cohort has brought. We thank all the participants, our wonderful partners TechDiversity and Cahoot Learning. We are already looking forward to sharing the next course, developing many of the themes that have emerged through the course. “
~ Veronica Pardo and Roman Ruzbacky
Veronica Pardo
Diversity Atlas, Executive Director, Programs
Veronica has been leading the work on cultural equity in Australia for more than 15 years. As a highly regarded leader, Veronica is sought after by institutions to guide the development of interventions aimed at changing organisational culture, structure and practice. She brings lived and professional experience of diversity to the creation of culturally safe learning and reflection spaces.
+Roman Ruzbacky
Diversity Atlas, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Roman is an experienced diversity, equity and inclusion practitioner and has complaints management experience. He is a former analytical chemist (diversity of thought in action), has designed and developed DE+I frameworks, gender equity action plans and conducted pay equity analysis. Roman has facilitated diversity workshops, provided key notes and panel discussions on DE+I practice.
Words from the TD Community
Luli Adeyemo
Executive Director of TD Foundation and Founder of Best Case Scenario
“The TD Academy community is made up of people who believe in the power of community and education to harness the DEI transformational process.”
Ali Wood
Senior Diversity and Inclusion Specialist at REA Group
“When I think about the value that the TD Academy will bring to me as a DEI practitioner, it’s really about tapping into the diverse thinking of a community of other practitioners who might be doing really innovative things.”
Will Wheeler
Founder/Director at Neurodiversity Academy
“At Neurodiversity Academy, we’re all about helping organisations to create Neuro-inclusive workplaces. We’re very excited to be partnering with TD Academy to become a part of the community.”
TechDiversity Academy Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
DO NOT DELETE
Why enrol in the course?
Many businesses or organisations don’t as yet understand the economic value of implementing DE+I in the workplace.
This course will give you the confidence to carry out sustainable organisational change and cultural economic and social transformation.
Research shows that organisations with diverse & inclusive cultures are:
6 x more likely to be innovative
87% better decision-making from diverse teams
35% more likely to perform better and have increased ROI
Should DE+I be my priority now, given current challenges?
McKinsey & Company research reinforces the link between diversity and company financial performance—and suggests how organisations can craft better inclusion strategies for a competitive edge.
We acknowledge that many organisations are being forced to make difficult decisions around workforce planning. Common problems related to restructuring include employees needing to learn new things as part of their job and higher workloads and less engagement. Sustained employee engagement and well-being is business-critical and delivers demonstrable ROI.
So now isn’t the time to take the foot off the gas when it comes to DE+I strategy and the impact it has on technology workforces. Companies need to continue to lay down the seeds now to be ready for the future. More and more organisations are realising the value of DEI an an enabler to face these challenges and sharpen their competitive edge.
What is the investment?
Investment in the TechDiversity Academy’s modules vary
There are frameworks and activities that you can use in your workplace, this enables participants to put some of our DE+I modules into immediate action.
- Access frameworks
- Download posters to distribute to your team
- Receive free, personal advice from our expert DE+I faciliators
- Get involved in discussions with other DE+I and HR specialists on the same DEI journey
How is this Community different?
The TechDiversity Academy Community is different because its more than just a course; it’s a growing ecosystem and a powerful movement.
A movement to learn, connect and grow with fellow peers.
What is Cahoot Learning?
Cahoot learning is the digital platform and community that will host the academy.
It is the modern melting pot where learners, facilitators and thought leaders come together to inspire, provoke, challenge and support each other – creating authentic learning and behaviour development.
What is Diversity Atlas?
Diversity Atlas, by Cultural Infusion is the creator of the only cultural diversity data-analysis platform that provides inclusive Self ID and actionable insight to create better workplaces.
It enables organisations to understand the diverse richness of its teams and to better measure, understand, acknowledge and act on its diversity, inclusion and development strategies with its platform and services.
Thank you to our TD Academy Delivery Partners
Without our partners, the TD Academy would not be possible. As a social enterprise, we appreciate their support in delivering DEI to our community of DEI champions.
Let’s hear from you
We love hearing from our community and what topics YOU think are important.