Paul Zahra

Paul Zahra served as chair of the board of directors of The Pinnacle Foundation from February 2016 until October 2021, after joining the board in June 2015.

Paul is a chief executive officer, non-executive director, board and company advisor, and one of Australia’s most influential diversity advocates. A leading force in the Australian retail industry for over 40 years, Paul’s corporate roles have included chief executive officer & managing director of ASX-listed, David Jones Limited, as well as senior leadership roles at Target Australia and Officeworks Superstores.

A powerful champion for diversity and inclusion in the workplace, Paul was previously chair of PwC’s diversity & inclusion advisory board and has led numerous high profile LGBTIQ+ campaigns and initiatives. He was formerly an ambassador for Honour a Woman, firmly believing that exceptional Australian women need to be recognised on the public record through the highest level of public recognition in our country; the Australian honours. He is currently an ambassador for the 30% Club Australia which is a collaboration of corporate leaders taking action to increase gender diversity at board and executive levels to a minimum of 30% – the point at which minority voices achieve critical mass and can be heard.

Paul is currently chief executive officer of the Australian Retailers Association, a not for profit that is Australia’s largest retail association, representing a $360bn sector employing more than 1.2 million people.

Paul is an alumnus of Stanford University USA and a Graduate of The Australian Institute of Company Directors. He lives with his husband, Duncan Peerman in Sydney.