Debbie Kirby in

Debbie Kirby

Observer · DISC type ci
GM People & Safety, SA Water, South Australia at SA Water
📍 Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Debbie is an accomplished people and safety executive with over 20 years of experience across Australia and New Zealand. As GM People & Safety at SA Water, she leads the full spectrum of people functions, focusing on safety, inclusion, and leadership. People who have worked with her describe her as authentic, empathetic, and innovative.

Outside of her executive role, Debbie is a dedicated family person. Her happy place is spending time with her husband and their combined seven children and their partners. She also actively supports community causes, such as participating in fundraising events like #WalkForWater to support global access to clean water.

In 2020, she was named the HRNZ HR Person of the Year, a testament to her leadership and impact in the field.

Read the full overview →
Experience
18 Years
Current Role
GM People & Safety, SA Water, South Australia
Job Level
Senior
Location
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Personality Overview

How Debbie shows up

Curious
Assertive
Example Seeker

They are likely to ask many questions and look heavily for supporting information. They are generally strong communicators and are not easy to convince. They can sound friendly and charming but can quickly change gears to become inquisitive and probing.

Priorities

Topics Debbie cares about

Social Outcomes
Recognized as a leader in Corporate Social Outcome programmes in New Zealand, she has a passion for creating employment opportunities and support systems for marginalized groups.
Inclusive Leadership
A career highlight for her was developing Te Ara Whanake, the Downer Maori Leadership programme, showcasing her commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion from the top down.
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Career

Work history

1-2025
GM People & Safety, SA Water, South Australia
SA Water
7-2023 - 1-2025
Executive General Manager People & Culture | Transport & Infrastructure | Australia & NZ
Downer
10-2016 - 7-2023
General Manager People & Culture
Downer
1-2016 - 7-2023
General Manager Corporate Social Outcomes
Downer
7-2005 - 3-2009
Adult Education Instructor
Workforce Development
In the press

Media appearances

Our Executive Team – SA Water. Featured in SA Water Official Website
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Education
2010 - 2015
Graduate Diploma in Human Resources
Massey University
1987 - 1989
Education details unavailable
University of Canterbury
Social presence
in
Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

c

Calculativeness (C)

Calculativeness (C) reflects the degree to which a person is likely to be cautious, systematic and analytical. Those scoring high tend to emphasise quality and accuracy.

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