InsideOUT Kōaro has announced the appointment of Judy O’Brien as its new Chief Executive, marking a pivotal leadership transition for the national rainbow charity. O’Brien officially steps into the role on 20 January, succeeding Tabby Besley, the organisation’s founder, who confirmed her decision to step down earlier this year.
O’Brien joins InsideOUT Kōaro from her current role as Head of Culture, Inclusion, and Safeguarding at New Zealand Rugby, where she has been a driving force behind system-wide change. Applications for her position at NZ Rugby officially closed yesterday.
Reflecting on the new chapter, O’Brien told YOUR EX magazine:
“Takatāpui & rainbow young people deserve not just to feel safe, but to belong, to thrive at school, in our communities, and at work. InsideOUT has been dedicated to that vision for 13 years, I’m honoured be in a position to continue that legacy.”
O’Brien brings an impressive track record in equity, inclusion and community-focused leadership. At New Zealand Rugby, she led the implementation of its Equity, Diversity & Inclusion strategy, alongside advancing child safeguarding practices across the rugby system. Prior to that, at RespectEd Aotearoa, she expanded national violence prevention education programmes and built strong cross-sector partnerships with schools, government, and businesses.
Her commitment to Rainbow and Takatāpui communities is long-standing. She has held governance and grassroots roles across the sector, including as Chair of the OuterSpaces Trust, a collective of LGBTIQ+ youth groups, as a facilitator for Tranzform, a peer support group for gender-diverse rangatahi, and as a founding member of the Rainbow Violence Prevention Network. O’Brien also serves on the Board of Global Women. From 2020 to 2022, O’Brien also wrote YOUR EX magazine’s TransAction column under her stage name, Judy Virago.
InsideOUT Kōaro Board Chair, Brock Stobbs, said the Board was thrilled with the appointment following a robust recruitment process.
“Judy brings a rare combination of strategic leadership, community connection, and heart. Her experience and authenticity make her the right person to guide InsideOUT Kōaro through its next chapter of growth and impact.”
For more information, visit insideout.org.nz
