Our Approach to Gender Equity Consulting
At Equitas Workplace Consulting, we specialize in providing services for companies with over 500 employees in Australia, helping them meet legislative requirements related to gender equity.
With a deep understanding of gender equity legislation and a proven track record of successful strategy development, we guide our clients through every step of the process, from data analysis, WGEA target selection and implementation of gender equity solutions.
At Equitas, we are committed to making the process of achieving gender equity simple, clear, and impactful, so you can realise the productivity benefits of a diverse workplace.
Our Founder
Story
Equitas Workplace Consulting was founded by Edwina Swinton and Lauren Milsted, leaders who share a deep commitment to building workplaces where equity and performance thrive together.
Their partnership began in 2014, when they were both returning from maternity leave and appointed to share a senior leadership role in the People and Capability function. What started as a practical arrangement quickly became a powerful model of collaboration.
The job share — that later became a portfolio split — allowed them to co-lead teams, exchange perspectives, and support each other through complex workforce challenges.
They discovered firsthand that two complementary leaders can achieve more together. Balancing vision and detail, strategy and delivery, empathy and impact. That experience shaped their shared belief in the value of equity, inclusion, and the strength that comes from diverse thinking.
Over the years that followed, Edwina and Lauren continued to lead major transformation and workforce projects across many sectors.
Their mission is simple: to help Australian organisations meet gender equity targets with clarity and confidence — transforming compliance into cultural and commercial advantage.
Because for Edwina and Lauren, gender equity isn’t just about fairness, it’s about creating workplaces where people and performance can reach their full potential.
Lauren Milsted
Co-Founder and Director
When it comes to progressing business outcomes through contemporary methods and mindsets, Lauren Milsted has been at it for many years, in diverse ways. From developing the Flexible by Design framework to hiring the first ever female Coal Inspector for Queensland, through to advising c-suite leaders on managing the impact of adverse gender-related media, she has been a trusted partner in shaping better workplaces.
Lauren has led and contributed to high-profile projects that have reshaped organisations and lifted operational outcomes. She brings deep expertise in transformation, people leadership, agile project management, and human-centred design.
Edwina Swinton
Co-Founder and Director
Edwina Swinton has built her career helping organisations and executives create inclusive, future-focused workplaces. With experience spanning government, education, and the non-profit sector, she has delivered complex workforce strategies to address systemic inequities while improving organisational performance.
Known for her direct yet collaborative style, Edwina partners with leaders to design solutions that unlock workforce potential and accelerate gender equity progress. Her strengths lie in communication, influence, workforce strategy, and coaching leaders to succeed in complex environments.
