Get to Know Me

There have been a few new faces appearing within the KP Community so I wanted to take the time to re-introduce myself!

As most of you will know, I’m Kelsey, a proud Tasmanian, diversity and inclusion practitioner with expertise in behavioural and cultural change in organisations. My offerings stem anywhere from online resources for organisations, to public speaking, and training leaders within organisations both here in Australia and abroad.

I am truly passionate about my scope of work; encouraging organisations to invest in continuous improvement and raising awareness on particular matters. However, I am equally as passionate about enhancing my relationships with my clients and working together for a more positive display of diversity and inclusion in the future. I’ve initiated the ‘Get to Know Me’ by answering some questions below but if there is anything else you would like to know about myself, or to build our connection, please get in touch. 

What are 5 words to best describe yourself?

I guess driven and passionate about work, but also the people in my life. Silly, I love to laugh, will often poke fun at myself, and also just find moments of joy and silliness in my work and personal life. Caring and authentic. I think both are necessary for the work I do, but I try to lean into these things in my personal relationships too.  

What made you decide to start Kelsey Paske Consulting?

It was during Covid, and just after my Dad had passed I was faced with a difficult decision to return to the UK during lockdown to retain my job or take some more time to grief and look after myself. I took unpaid leave and explored my options, and I was encouraged to try going it alone. It was something I had considered, but I thought it would happen later in my career. It was the right decision for me, although I miss working in a team environment and the relationships from work. I am lucky to have some wonderful client relationships, though. 

Your greatest achievement to date? 

I think it's an ongoing learning, really, and that’s how to do this work and look after my mental health. My passion and dedication to this, especially as a survivor working closely with gendered violence, I know I can lose myself in work and burn out easily. But I think one thing: losing Dad, COVID-19, and reassessing my life's priorities taught me to slow down and know my limits. What I’m most proud of now is recognising them in advance, and owning them. 

How long have you worked in the diversity and inclusion industry, and how did you enter the industry? 

I’m going on 10 years working full-time, but I’ve been in and around the industry for over 10 years now, which feels strange to say. I say I fell into this work through my studies and volunteering. My focus has always been on human rights and justice, and I studied international relations and law and focused on humanitarian law and gendered violence. Throughout my studies, I volunteered with charities working in this space. I had an internship abroad in India working for the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, and that was when I had my own experiences of gendered violence. 

I threw myself into wanting to understand gendered violence so that I could help prevent it. This wasn’t great for my own trauma at the time, but it has certainly led me on the path I am now. I moved away from the practice of law, which was too reactive, in my opinion, and focused on prevention, of which primary prevention focuses on addressing the structural inequalities that condone different forms of violence and harassment. That’s led me to a broader focus on diversity and inclusion, but I guess my focus or expertise lies in gender inequality and addressing the intersections that contribute to bullying, harassment and gendered violence. 

What is your favourite service you offer to clients? 

Definitely consultancy, so working with the client to talk through challenges they are facing and problem-solving together. The client may know what they want to achieve their desired outcome, but sometimes it may look a little different or there is a better solution. Either way, I love the start of new relationships and understanding the client, their organisation and what they’re hoping to achieve over time so whatever we put in place can be sustained. 

An influential moment in your career that you will never forget

The moments I’ve really enjoyed seem to be when I get to lean into the discomfort with people and work through barriers, misconceptions, or just ‘not wanting to know’. A highlight for me was working with the senior leadership team at University College London on having rape crisis training to ensure all senior leaders understood the issue and how they could lead the institution to tackle sexual misconduct. 

It was amazing to see that this was a subject matter that not many people knew details about, or felt as confident speaking to, and it was a privilege to walk through some of those uncomfortable moments and realisations together, so that we could learn from it and work together on a more informed solution and strategy. 

The session definitely had an impact, and from memory I think some leaders were shushed in their next meeting because they were still discussing it. Ha! 

It's those moments that have an impact on me. 

What is a quote you live by? 

It has to be one of Brene Brown’s many gems. I think the one that I try to practice in my personal and professional life is ‘vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.’ 

The more I learn about transformational change regarding issues of diversity, inclusion or justice, the more that vulnerability is required to unlearn, adapt, and enable the factors for equity to be achieved, whether on a personal or institutional level. The ability to say ‘I’m sorry, we got it wrong’ or own up to injustices, I think, requires significant vulnerability, often that too often we resist. 

What’s your self-care routine? 

Usually, I exercise – enjoying Pilates and body combat, going for walks in nature, reading or watching a rom-com, having a bath or a glass of wine and taking my time to cook and not feel rushed. I also love a hug or a snuggle on the couch and usually a sweet treat like chocolate or a bowl of ice cream. 

Now I’m pregnant; it's just a lot of rest and doing what I can in time. Giving myself permission to feel however I need to.