About Us

 Julie Watson (she/her) is a seasoned educator and Rainbow inclusion advisor, known for her clear communication style and deep understanding of how to engage people’s heads and hearts. 

 Julie began her career as a secondary school teacher in a large, multiethnic inner-city school before moving into human rights education—first with the Race Relations Office, and later with the Human Rights Commission.

 With a Master of Education (Hons) focused on effective adult learning strategies, Julie brings a thoughtful, evidence-informed approach to her work. She has collaborated with some of Aotearoa’s leading Rainbow inclusion organisations and advisors, supporting workplaces to become truly ‘rainbow ready’ through education, training, and accreditation pathways. Julie is known for making complex ideas easy to grasp, drawing on a rich library of real-world case studies to bring learning to life. 

 Max Wallace (he/they) is a workplace culture strategist and leadership coach, specialising in employee engagement and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). With a focus on creating thriving, inclusive environments, Max works alongside organisations to foster cultures where everyone feels seen, supported, and able to lead authentically. 

 He recently completed a Master’s in Organisational Change and Resilience, where his research explored the systemic barriers to LGBTQIA+/Takatāpui/MVPFAFF+ career development in Aotearoa. From this work, he developed Beyond the Rainbow Ceiling a nationally grounded framework designed to help organisations dismantle barriers and support Rainbow people to achieve their career goals.