NEWSROOM
Breaking barriers: Sarah Liu’s mission for gender equality
9 April 2024
Sarah Liu, a trailblazer in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), is on a mission to empower women and other diverse talent across the globe. As the Founder and Managing Director of TDC Global, named one of the top 10 diversity, equity and inclusion consultancies in Asia-Pacific, Sarah has dedicated her career to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for professional women and diverse talent to thrive in leadership roles.
Sarah earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science at Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland. She was highly engaged in the entrepreneurial ecosystem from the get-go, taking part in the Velocity entrepreneurship development programme delivered by the Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). and winning the start-up planning competition Velocity $100k Challenge.
One of the pivotal moments in Sarah’s journey occurred during a transformative year-long exchange program called AIKOM (Abroad in Komaba) at Tokyo University, offered by the University of Auckland, where she studied Japanese, Psychology, and Media Studies. Reflecting on this experience, Sarah emphasises how it challenged her to get out of her comfort zone, broadened her horizons, exposed her to diverse perspectives, and equipped her with a new sense of possibility.
Returning to New Zealand with a fresh perspective, she embarked on a career in marketing and branding, where she honed her skills working with global brands like Revlon, Coca-Cola, and Olay and became a Regional Brand Manager by age 25. Despite her success, Sarah was struck by the lack of opportunities for women in leadership positions and the systemic challenges they faced in the workplace.
It’s an ongoing issue. Recent estimates are that globally it will take 131 years to close the gender gap for parity across areas such as economic participation and opportunity and political empowerment. Here in New Zealand, the most recent estimate places the gender pay gap at 8.3% and in Australia the government’s recent analysis found that male employees in private firms earn around 22% more than their male colleagues.
Determined to drive change, Sarah founded The Dream Collective, now TDC Global, which has since evolved into a global force for diversity, equity, and inclusion with projects in over 18 countries. Her efforts have been recognized through various accolades, including being named in the 40 under 40: Most Influential Asian-Australians list and being featured in prominent publications such as the Australia Financial Review and The Australian.
Sarah’s commitment to gender equality extends beyond consultancy work. Through TDC Global’s initiatives such as two DEI Book publications in Japan (Together She Soars, Together, She Shines Brighter) and partnerships with companies like Canva and Amazon Web Services Google, Datacom and Inc, she is spearheading initiatives like She Pivots and She Dares to support career transitions and promote gender diversity and inclusion in traditionally male-dominated industries like technology.
When asked about her keys to success, Sarah highlights the importance of resilience and earning respect rather than seeking to be liked by everyone. She views setbacks as opportunities for growth and believes that learning and being willing to pivot is essential for long-term success.
Sarah’s vision for the future is ambitious: to end gender inequality in her lifetime and create a world where men and women are equal leaders. With her unwavering dedication and innovative approach, Sarah Liu is striving to help create a more inclusive and equitable future.
Sarah Liu
9 April 2024
Sarah Liu, a trailblazer in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), is on a mission to empower women and other diverse talent across the globe. As the Founder and Managing Director of TDC Global, named one of the top 10 diversity, equity and inclusion consultancies in Asia-Pacific, Sarah has dedicated her career to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for professional women and diverse talent to thrive in leadership roles.
Sarah earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science at Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland. She was highly engaged in the entrepreneurial ecosystem from the get-go, taking part in the Velocity entrepreneurship development programme delivered by the Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). and winning the start-up planning competition Velocity $100k Challenge.
One of the pivotal moments in Sarah’s journey occurred during a transformative year-long exchange program called AIKOM (Abroad in Komaba) at Tokyo University, offered by the University of Auckland, where she studied Japanese, Psychology, and Media Studies. Reflecting on this experience, Sarah emphasises how it challenged her to get out of her comfort zone, broadened her horizons, exposed her to diverse perspectives, and equipped her with a new sense of possibility.
Returning to New Zealand with a fresh perspective, she embarked on a career in marketing and branding, where she honed her skills working with global brands like Revlon, Coca-Cola, and Olay and became a Regional Brand Manager by age 25. Despite her success, Sarah was struck by the lack of opportunities for women in leadership positions and the systemic challenges they faced in the workplace.
It’s an ongoing issue. Recent estimates are that globally it will take 131 years to close the gender gap for parity across areas such as economic participation and opportunity and political empowerment. Here in New Zealand, the most recent estimate places the gender pay gap at 8.3% and in Australia the government’s recent analysis found that male employees in private firms earn around 22% more than their male colleagues.
Determined to drive change, Sarah founded The Dream Collective, now TDC Global, which has since evolved into a global force for diversity, equity, and inclusion with projects in over 18 countries. Her efforts have been recognized through various accolades, including being named in the 40 under 40: Most Influential Asian-Australians list and being featured in prominent publications such as the Australia Financial Review and The Australian.
Sarah’s commitment to gender equality extends beyond consultancy work. Through TDC Global’s initiatives such as two DEI Book publications in Japan (Together She Soars, Together, She Shines Brighter) and partnerships with companies like Canva and Amazon Web Services Google, Datacom and Inc, she is spearheading initiatives like She Pivots and She Dares to support career transitions and promote gender diversity and inclusion in traditionally male-dominated industries like technology.
When asked about her keys to success, Sarah highlights the importance of resilience and earning respect rather than seeking to be liked by everyone. She views setbacks as opportunities for growth and believes that learning and being willing to pivot is essential for long-term success.
Sarah’s vision for the future is ambitious: to end gender inequality in her lifetime and create a world where men and women are equal leaders. With her unwavering dedication and innovative approach, Sarah Liu is striving to help create a more inclusive and equitable future.
Sarah Liu
EMAIL
CIE@AUCKLAND.AC.NZ
POSTAL ADDRESS
THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND BUSINESS SCHOOL
PRIVATE BAG 92019, AUCKLAND
