Episode 312: Debby Blakey of Hesta: How a Gutsy Advocate Delivers Impact for its Members

Debby Blakey is CEO of Hesta a $91 bn AUD Australian superannuation fund dedicated to the health and community services sector. She is also President of the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors and a director of the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN). 

Our conversation traces Debby's personal and career journey from South Africa, where she did consulting work, to build a new life in Melbourne, and how she developed her network from scratch. We move then to her role at Hesta and how it has evolved, and spend some time discussing the unique positioning that Hesta holds, as well as putting the role of all Australian Superannuation Funds into context.

We discuss why Hesta is a "Super with Impact" and dig in to how impact is defined, and how and why Hesta engages with its members. We talk about the challenges of the road ahead and how Hesta is preparing for its future journey. 

Thank you to GCM Grosvenor and Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. for sponsoring Series 3 of 2025.

GCM Grosvenor is a global alternative asset management firm with a longstanding commitment to supporting small, emerging, and diverse investment managers. For over 30 years, the firm has developed expertise in funding and guiding these managers as part of its broader activity across alternative investments.

With over $20 billion in AUM dedicated to small and emerging managers and $16 billion in AUM dedicated to diverse managers, GCM Grosvenor leverages its experienced team, broad network, and proprietary sourcing capabilities to support their success. Through the Small, Emerging, and Diverse Manager Program, the firm creates opportunities for investors to access a wide range of talent while seeking to drive strong returns and impact. For more information, visit www.gcmgrosvenor.com

Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. is a diversified, multi-affiliate asset management platform that partners with more than 30 best-in-class affiliated and independent investment managers. Its unique platform delivers strategic value through a full suite of distribution, operational and administrative services available to affiliates and partners.