Talent RISE appoints its first ANZ CEO

Talent RISE, a charity launched by multinational technology and digital recruitment specialist Talent International in 2014, has appointed Karen Graham as its first CEO for Australia and New Zealand, effective immediately.

Graham joins Talent RISE from multinational market research and consulting firm Ipsos ANZ as the Managing Director, Market Strategy and Innovation, following an extensive career across marketing, brand, business development and the not-for-profit space, the company said in a media release.

Graham will work alongside Talent RISE team members and Talent International and Talent RISE Founder and Executive Chair Richard Earl, focusing on leading and coordinating Talent RISE activities and efforts across all locations. She will also be responsible for helping in the regional expansion of the company into new markets and launching a range of ambitious new initiatives.

"I am very excited to be appointed as CEO for Talent RISE ANZ and am really looking forward to working with Richard and the RISE team to strengthen and expand the RISE impact across ANZ and build further on the great work done by the team to date," Graham said.

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Talent RISE is a charity committed to changing the lives of young people who have experienced barriers to employment by providing education, training, life skills and opportunities to help them gain independence and purpose through meaningful work.

Earl said he was thrilled about the new appointment.

"I am delighted with the appointment of Karen Graham into the role as CEO for Talent RISE ANZ. Karen’s vision and drive made her a perfect fit to further assist our goal of expanding RISE into the global space. Her belief in the importance of helping young people reach their full potential is why I am confident she will be able to take RISE to another level."

To date, Talent RISE has engaged more than 3,000 young people through workshops and mentoring, and has successfully placed more than 350 into meaningful employment.

It was created to address the high level of youth unemployment, and is dedicated to upskilling and empowering young people to commence and build thriving, sustainable careers, while assisting employers to build inclusive working environments and bring young people into their organisations.

Talent RISE is based in Sydney, Australia and has additional offices in Adelaide, Australia as well as Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand, and London, UK. It is committed to extending RISE into all 18 of its locations around the world.