Kathleen Conner

Partner, Risk, Strategy & Technology

KPMG Australia

Kat is a skilled financial services risk and regulation SME with more than 20 years of professional experience extending across both the Australia and the United Kingdom. She joined KPMG Australia as a Partner in May 2021 and brings with her a unique understanding of risk and regulatory requirements across financial services.

Kat began her career in the Australian Army working in both Signals Intelligence and Military Police. She credits this experience with providing her a solid foundation in leadership, respect, and discipline, upon which she has built her corporate career.

Since her discharge, she has held industry roles in banking and insurance, was a supervisor at APRA and has undertaken a number of consulting roles focused on risk and regulation. In her role immediately prior to joining the firm, Kat was the independent reviewer for the CBA Prudential Inquiry program of work.

Kat’s career experience has given her a deep understanding of regulatory expectations, in addition to a thorough appreciation of the implementation and operationalisation challenges faced by entities. She now focuses on working with clients to enhance and develop their strategies, operating models, frameworks, and processes to meet the ever-changing regulatory requirements.

Outside of KPMG, she volunteers for several community organisations and is the current President of the Sydney City Branch of the Country Women’s Association of NSW.

  • Financial Services
  • Insurance
  • Operating Effectiveness
  • Public Policy and Regulatory Change
  • Risk Consulting
  • Risk Management
  • Strategy
  • Bachelor Arts, Japanese & Applied Linguistic, UTAS, 2005

  • Master Arts, Applied Linguistics, UNE, 2008

  • Master Cyber Security & Investigation, CSU, Current

  • Advanced Certificate, Regulatory Risk and Compliance, ICA, 2010

  • Project Management Professional, PMI, 2006

  • Project Management Professional, PMI, 2006

  • Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, Member

  • Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists, Member

  • Country Women's Association of NSW, Branch President, Sydney City

  • Surry Hills Business Partnership, Board Member