Verified Expertise | Industry Leadership | Measurable Impact
Steven Asnicar stands as one of Australia’s most authoritative voices in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), serving as Group Managing Director of 1Diversity and Diversity Australia – the nation’s premier DE&I professional services firm – with an extraordinary career spanning over two decades of executive leadership across healthcare, energy, logistics, and professional services. His credentials represent a unique convergence of strategic business acumen, transformational leadership, and deep expertise in organisational culture change that positions him as a trusted authority in driving workplace inclusion initiatives across Australia and internationally.
Verified Academic Excellence and Professional Certifications
Steven’s expertise is underpinned by rigorously earned qualifications from Australia’s most prestigious institutions. He holds an Executive MBA in International Business from Bond University (1998-2001), one of Australia’s premier private universities renowned for its internationally recognised business programmes. His academic foundation includes a Graduate Certificate in Corporate Management from Deakin University (1997-1998), consistently ranked amongst Australia’s top-tier institutions, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business from Deakin University (1994-1998).
His professional development credentials demonstrate an unwavering commitment to excellence in leadership and governance. Steven is a Graduate of the Global Institute of Directors in International Directorships (2024), providing him with globally recognised director-level governance expertise. He maintains certification as an International Accredited Executive Coach through the World Coaching Institute WCI (2022-2023), demonstrating his commitment to developing leadership capability in others.
Additionally, Steven holds multiple specialist certifications including TalentClick Assessment Practitioner Certified, Assessment Practitioner Certified, and expertise in Neurodiversity Management—credentials that underscore his sophisticated approach to talent assessment and inclusive leadership development.
Distinguished Healthcare Leadership and Innovation
Steven’s executive career includes groundbreaking leadership in Australia’s healthcare sector, most notably as Chief Executive Officer and Company Secretary of St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital (1998-2002), a 350-bed facility serving Queensland and the North/Central New South Wales region. Under his leadership, the hospital achieved recognition as one of the top three hospitals for acuity in Australia, earning six major national and state awards for excellence, strategy, customer service, and fundraising.
His healthcare innovations were transformational, introducing cutting-edge telemedicine services including ICU Telemedicine, CME Telemedicine, E-Health Cardiac Services, and E-Health Doctor Education Systems Online. Steven orchestrated a complex organisational regrouping through merger approved by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to form UnitingHealthCare Australia, whilst achieving significant improvements in operating surplus and implementing major organisational restructure that delivered substantial cost reductions.
Steven’s influence extended to national healthcare policy through his role as Advisory Committee Member for Electronic Medical Records with Services Australia (formerly Health Insurance Commission) (1998-2000). His contributions were instrumental in shaping Australia’s early electronic health records framework, providing foundational thought leadership that influenced the creation of the National Electronic Health Transition Authority (NEHTA) in 2005 and ultimately informed the development of My Health Record.
Energy Sector Leadership and Strategic Development
Steven’s strategic acumen was demonstrated through his pivotal role with Boral Limited, where as a member of the Strategic Development Committee (1994-1998), he initiated the concept that led to the demerger of Boral Energy Limited, laying the foundation for the creation of Origin Energy—now one of Australia’s leading energy companies. This strategic initiative was part of the 1996 acquisition of the South Australian Gas Company (SAGASCO), which also resulted in the establishment and public float of Envestra Limited, raising $900 million through its IPO.
As General Manager NSW for Boral Energy (1988-1997), Steven demonstrated exceptional operational leadership across nearly a decade, managing significant energy infrastructure and contributing to strategic decisions that would reshape Australia’s energy landscape whilst delivering substantial long-term shareholder value.
Industry Authority and Policy Influence
Steven’s industry authority extends across multiple sectors through distinguished board and committee positions. He served as a Director of the Australian Private Hospitals Association (1998-2001), the peak national body representing over 85% of Australia’s private hospital sector. In this capacity, he led transformative reforms in the private healthcare sector, reshaping the delivery of private hospital care and influencing critical legislative changes to better serve patients and providers.
His influence in transport and logistics is evidenced through his four-year tenure with the Australian Logistics Council, where he served as both Committee Member of the Safety Committee (2012-2016) and Member of the Supply Chain Standards Steering Committee (2012-2016). Through these roles, he contributed to the development of the National Logistics Safety Code (NLSC) and worked with industry groups to resolve complex supply chain issues including compliance standards, intermodal visibility, and data quality improvements.
Steven also served as a Director of the Private Hospitals Association of Queensland (1998-2001), representing employer interests and promoting high standards of medical treatment and nursing care across Queensland’s private hospital sector.
Current Advisory Leadership and Academic Engagement
Steven’s expertise is currently recognised through prestigious advisory positions with leading academic institutions. He serves as an Advisory Board Member at Deakin Business School‘s Leadership Futures Hub (March 2025-Present), providing strategic guidance on leadership development programs and helping bridge academia with industry best practices.
His commitment to mental health innovation is demonstrated through his role as MHFA Advisory Board Member with The University of Melbourne‘s Centre for Health Equity (May 2023-Present), where he shapes the development and evaluation of mental health literacy initiatives and ensures research activities meet the highest standards of ethical conduct and cultural sensitivity.
Steven also serves on the Advisory Committee for Public Skills Australia‘s Diversity and Inclusion Network (June 2024-Present), one of five established networks under the national Vocational Education and Training (VET) reform agenda, where he provides expert guidance on improving access and participation for priority cohorts including culturally diverse communities, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and First Nations people.
From 2014 to 2020, Steven served as a Member of the Faculty of Business Advisory Board at Bond University, contributing his expertise to curriculum development and strategic direction.
Entrepreneurial Excellence and Market Leadership
Steven’s entrepreneurial journey spans multiple successful ventures, demonstrating consistent market leadership across diverse sectors. As Director of Urban Global (2008-Present), he oversees a diversified portfolio comprising over 10 companies, 40 major brands, and over 1,000 domains and sites strategically located to serve an international customer base across the complete supply chain.
His Urban Healthcare venture (2003-2025) has established itself as an award-winning healthcare group specialising in hospital design, healthcare platforms, and telehealth solutions. The organisation focuses on creating Healthcare Centres of Excellence that incorporate future health technologies and world-class healthcare systems designed to meet evolving population needs.
As Director of Chain of Responsibility (2005-Present), Steven co-leads Australia’s premier national training, compliance, and audit preparation group, delivering customised Chain of Responsibility compliance systems to organisations ranging from Australia’s largest corporations to small enterprises through integrated training, compliance, and audit preparation services.
His commitment to social responsibility is demonstrated through his role as Director of Liquor Accord (2011-Present), where he has developed innovative education programs focused on providing youth with skills and tools to address peer and community pressure surrounding alcohol, aiming to help young people transition to adulthood free of alcohol-related harm.
Diversity Australia: Transformational Leadership
Under Steven’s leadership as Group Managing Director since March 2015, 1Diversity and Diversity Australia have evolved into the nation’s leading professional services firms specialising in diversity and cultural change both domestically and internationally. The organisation is passionate about building strategies that promote inclusive culture and diverse workforces across all sectors, setting new global standards for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The firm operates with a team of over 10 highly qualified consultants with advanced degrees and extensive industry experience, delivering evidence-based solutions that align with Global ISO Diversity and Inclusion Standards, Australian Inclusive Service Standards (ISS), and ASX Corporate Governance Council’s Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations for DE&I.
Steven’s approach consistently delivers quantifiable results through systematic methodologies that embed DE&I principles into core business processes rather than treating them as peripheral initiatives. His track record includes successful implementations across mining, healthcare, financial services, government agencies, and multinational corporations, resulting in measurable improvements in employee engagement, talent retention, and organisational culture assessments.
Publications and Thought Leadership
Steven’s intellectual contributions to the field are evidenced through significant publications addressing critical contemporary workplace issues. His works include “Unconscious bias ‘prominent’ in Australian schools,” “The Bias Conundrum,” “Diversity in Transport,” “In The Public Service: Audits and Public Sector Ethics,” and “Inclusive Comedy Night: Are You Ageist? Bias Against Your Future Self.”
These publications demonstrate his ability to translate complex research into accessible, actionable insights that influence policy and practice across multiple sectors. His thought leadership extends to practical implementation guidance across challenging sectors, providing frameworks for incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in traditionally complex environments.
Awards and Recognition
Steven’s excellence has been recognised through multiple prestigious awards including the Best Online Large Employer Program and three consecutive Best Hospital in Australia (over 70 beds) awards from the Australian Private Hospitals Association (1999-2001), as well as the Australian Customer Service Award (1999). These accolades reflect his commitment to operational excellence and innovative service delivery across diverse organisational contexts.
Public Service and Community Leadership
Steven’s commitment to public service is demonstrated through his role as Director of Public Service Ethics Australia (2009-2012), where he contributed to establishing ethical standards and compliance frameworks for public sector organisations. He also served as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary for Sunwater’s North West PL and Yungalla Pty Ltd (2002-2003), bringing his financial and governance expertise to critical water infrastructure management.
Future Vision and Industry Evolution
Steven continues to shape the evolution of Australian workplace culture through his multifaceted leadership roles and ongoing research initiatives. His vision extends beyond traditional DE&I frameworks to encompass comprehensive approaches to psychological safety, inclusive leadership, and cultural transformation that drive measurable business outcomes whilst contributing to broader societal advancement.
His ongoing work focuses on emerging workplace trends including neurodiversity management, intergenerational collaboration, mental health literacy, and the integration of technology with human-centred management approaches. These forward-thinking perspectives position both Steven and his clients at the forefront of workplace evolution, establishing new benchmarks for inclusive leadership and demonstrating the compelling business case for strategic investment in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Through his unique combination of executive healthcare experience, energy sector strategic leadership, academic excellence, professional certifications, entrepreneurial success, and proven industry authority, Steven Asnicar represents the gold standard for comprehensive business leadership in Australia. His work continues to influence organisational practices across multiple sectors, establishing new paradigms for inclusive leadership whilst delivering measurable outcomes that benefit both organisations and the broader community.
Key Credentials & Current Positions:
- Group Managing Director – 1Diversity and Diversity Australia (2015-Present)
- Advisory Board Member – Deakin Business School Leadership Futures Hub (2025-Present)
- MHFA Advisory Board Member – University of Melbourne (2023-Present)
- Advisory Committee Member – Public Skills Australia (2024-Present)
- Executive MBA, International Business – Bond University
- Graduate Certificate, Corporate Management – Deakin University
- Graduate, International Directorships – Global Institute of Directors
- International Accredited Executive Coach – World Coaching Institute
- Contact: [email protected] | LinkedIn
