Catherine Fitzpatrick

Catherine Fitzpatrick is a social entrepreneur on a mission to disrupt financial abuse and gender bias through smarter product and service design. Catherine delivers keynotes that challenge audiences to see the unseen, rethink the status quo and take action. A former bank executive, she brings a mix of expertise, experience and pragmatism to unmask and disrupt financial abuse. Her talks are thought-provoking, practical and deeply human, leaving audiences with a clearer understanding of the hidden risks and a roadmap for real change. Nearly 30 years ago, Catherine met a woman whose tragic story shaped her career. Since then, she’s led industry-wide reforms, advised governments on financial abuse policy and pioneered the financial safety by design framework – helping leading brands protect customers, manage risk and strengthen trust. Her ground-breaking Designed to Disrupt™ reports and #respectandprotect campaign have led to world-first action from more than 45 businesses across 10 sectors, ensuring more than 20 million customers are better protected. Catherine is Adjunct Associate Professor, UNSW School of Social Sciences, and holds advisory roles with the Commonwealth and NSW governments and the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation. She’s co-founder of the One Generation business alliance against domestic and family violence, launched with former Australian of the Year Rosie Batty AO in 2024. Her contributions have been recognised over the years with awards including the AFR | Qantas Woman of Influence, Shared Value Bravery Award and National Consumer Advocacy Award. Expect a keynote that challenges, inspires and drives change – because when financial abuse and gender bias are designed out, opportunity is designed in.