Full Name: Nora Fraser
Current Role: Founder & CEO
Current Organisation: The Multicultural Professional Network (MPN)
Last Role at PwC: Senior Human Capital Leader
Time at PwC: 2018 - 2023
What’s your fondest memory from your time at PwC?
The time spent with so many incredible and talented colleagues, and working on complex projects with the Consulting & Tax leadership team. So many inspiring leaders, including James O'Reilly, Marty Jovic, Peter Maskell, and Amy Plowman, who were true mentors and sponsors, shaped my approach to leadership and reinforced the importance of inclusive, high-performing, sustainable teams. I will also always remember working with PwC peers and leaders globally, including Lizzie Warner and Harry King, among many others.
How did your experience at PwC support or shape your career path? Are there any skills or lessons from your time at PwC that you still find valuable in the work you do today?
My experience at PwC was foundational in shaping my career path. Leading change initiatives and supporting the development and execution of key Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing strategies across the business provided me with a deep understanding of strategic problem-solving and stakeholder management. It was at PwC that I developed my ability to navigate ambiguity.
The lessons in organisational effectiveness have stayed with me and continue to influence the work I do today. PwC instilled the value of combining technical expertise with a people-centred approach, which has been critical in building a purpose-driven organisation and advancing social impact initiatives globally. On a more personal note, I remain especially grateful to the Consulting leadership team for supporting our first-ever event as a network.
In your current role, you’re championing diversity and inclusion within a large organisation. How do you prioritise these values and embed purpose and inclusion into the core business strategy on a day-to-day basis?
In my current role, advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) is central to everything we do. I prioritise these values by ensuring they are embedded in both strategic decision-making and day-to-day operations, rather than treated as standalone initiatives. On a practical level, this means working closely with leadership teams to integrate DEIB into recruitment, talent development, and succession planning. It also involves embedding purpose and inclusion into the core business strategy, ensuring that every decision advances both performance and social impact.
What inspires your passion for purpose-driven initiatives and social impact?
My passion for purpose-driven initiatives and social impact is inspired by the belief that creating meaningful change requires both vision and action. Early in my career, I saw how well-intentioned initiatives often fell short because they focused on optics rather than outcomes. If I cannot find a solution that works, I tend to focus on creating one by developing new, practical approaches that deliver real impact.
Today, that lesson guides me. I am motivated by the opportunity to transform representation into real opportunities and sustainable outcomes. I focus on identifying systemic barriers, designing strategies, and ensuring it is connected to measurable outcomes. What inspires me most is seeing individuals and communities thrive when they are supported with purpose, equity, and inclusion, and knowing that this can scale change beyond a single team, organisation, or country.
What is one purpose-driven initiative you’ve led recently that you’re particularly proud of, and what measurable social outcomes has it delivered so far?
One initiative I’m particularly proud of is ImpactSphere, The MPN’s platform for measuring and advancing public good. ImpactSphere connects our purpose-driven programmes, from Inclusive Enterprise, which empowers underrepresented entrepreneurs, to the Leadership Programme, which equips professionals for governance roles, ensuring that every initiative delivers measurable social impact.
Since its launch, we have engaged over 650 professionals across 41 countries, supported more than 10,000 people through our programmes, and partnered with 30+ organisations.
What advice would you give to aspiring leaders or young professionals who want to embed purpose and social impact into their careers and leadership style?
Be intentional about the impact you want to create. Don’t wait for the perfect solution; take initiative and create opportunities where none exist. Be patient but persistent: systemic change takes time. Stay authentic to your values, and remember that measurable impact is achieved through consistent, deliberate action over the long term.
Looking ahead, how do you see the future of purpose-driven leadership and corporate responsibility evolving over the next decade, and what role do you hope to play in shaping that future?
Looking ahead, I see purpose-driven leadership, social enterprises, ESG, and social procurement becoming business as usual, with organisations creating meaningful change for both people and the planet while thriving commercially.
I aim to shape this future by creating and scaling initiatives that provide opportunities for underrepresented talent and help businesses succeed commercially while delivering lasting, positive impact in the communities they serve.
If you could invite three people to a dinner party, dead or alive, who would they be and why?
If I could invite three people to a dinner party, I would choose:
- Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Councillor Adrian Schrinner — as an honourable member of The MPN, for his support and partnership with the network.
- Mellody Hobson — for her visionary leadership and commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- The Honourable David Crisafulli MP, Premier of Queensland — for his leadership and insights, and to discuss economic development and creating positive social impact across communities.
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