Hayley Whatarau

Advancing human rights and social impact in complex operating environments

Hong Kong SAR

About

A visionary leader with two decades of global experience spanning business, government, and civil society. I specialize in advancing human rights and social impact in high-risk and resource-rich environments. My career has evolved from frontline advisory roles to executive leadership, where I now guide organizations through transformative change, embedding human rights and social impact into governance, strategy and operations. I bring a proven track record in shaping long-term strategies, influencing commercial transactions, and building trust-based relationships across diverse stakeholder groups—including governments, multinational corporations, NGOs, and communities. I am passionate about supporting organizations into their next phase of growth, collaboration, and influence. Rooted in my Indigenous heritage from Aotearoa (New Zealand) and the Torres Strait, I bring a values-based approach to leadership: • Respect — engaging authentically from boardrooms to local communities • Stewardship — ensuring decisions support the wellbeing of people and planet • Integrity — inspiring action beyond compliance toward genuine accountability

Experience

  • Independent Human Rights Executive at Independent
    Sep 2024 - Present · 1 yr 10 mos

    Positioned a Fortune 500 company as a leader in human rights, providing expert advice on due diligence, and compliance with new and emerging laws and regulations. Human Rights advisor to a multi-stakeholder circularity project advising on human rights law, regulation and assurance requirements.

  • Global Human Rights Manager at HP
    Jun 2019 - Jul 2024 · 5 yrs 2 mos

    End-to-end ownership of HP's global human rights strategy across rights and governance, responsible sourcing, social impact, and remediation – managing a team of 12 and serving as external spokesperson

  • Director, International Programs at Tūhana Business and Human Rights Limited
    2010 - 2019 · 9 yrs

    Delivered impact investments and legislative reform across frontier markets.

  • Legal Associate at World Health Organization
    2007 - 2010 · 3 yrs

  • Investment Consultant at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
    2004 - 2007 · 3 yrs