Rise by Talent launches new strategy to boost tech diversity

Talent has rebranded its social enterprise arm from Talent RISE to Rise by Talent, announcing a new strategic direction and leadership.

The change comes as the organisation adapts to growing demands for diverse technology talent and responds to shifts in traditional career pathways driven by artificial intelligence. Georgia Townsend has been appointed as General Manager of Rise by Talent, effective immediately, and will lead the expanded mission across Australia and New Zealand.

Rise by Talent intends to scale its initiatives, targeting regional programme delivery beyond current Auckland and Wellington operations, implementing school pathway programmes to introduce younger students to technology careers, and enhancing partnerships with technology companies focused on inclusive hiring. The enterprise will also pursue knowledge sharing to drive sector-wide change.

“I am so proud to lead Talent’s social enterprise, which has a 10-year history of creating opportunity for young people – something I am deeply passionate about. Since I stepped into the role, I have heard one sentence on repeat from tech teams and companies across Australia. ‘I can train technical; I just need to find people who are adaptable & resilient’. Through hours of conversation, analysing research and studying what ‘potential’ actually means, I’ve learned something. There are so many people out there with huge potential, who come from diverse and non-traditional backgrounds, that have so many of the human skills that businesses need, but are just not getting a look in. It’s time to change that.”

The initiative aims to address three major workforce challenges: the skills shortage crisis, the transformation of entry-level roles due to AI, and the diversity deficit that limits access to technology careers for groups including female, Indigenous, Māori, and Pacific Islander talent.

Australia is expected to require an additional 1.2 million tech workers by 2030, while entry-level roles are being rapidly reshaped by technological innovation. Similar proportional shortages are noted across New Zealand, where there is a recognised education gap: only 30% of the population holds bachelor’s degrees or higher, leaving significant untapped potential in communities historically underrepresented within technology sectors.

Mark Nielsen, Global CEO of Talent, highlighted the motivation behind the evolution of the enterprise.

“The landscape is changing and so are we. After 30 years in recruitment, we know talented people get locked out just because they don’t have the right connections. Rise by Talent takes everything we’ve learned about what employers actually need and applies it where it’s needed most.”

Unlike many traditional corporate diversity efforts, Rise by Talent is supported by Talent’s funding model, in which all operational overheads are absorbed by the company. This allows 100% of external funds raised to be directed towards supporting programme participants, a structure credited with enabling consistent programme delivery and measurable impact over the past decade.

The rebrand and the new strategic approach signify a commitment to not only continuing but expanding efforts in the sector. The emphasis on regional expansion, early engagement with technology education, and industry partnership reflects a data-driven response to pressing challenges in the technology workforce.

Rise by Talent’s leadership sees the evolution as a move beyond a change in name. It represents a broader commitment to scaling impact in response to a rapidly transforming technology landscape across Australia and New Zealand.