Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, June 2025 — Emily Thwaites has been promoted to Head of People Experience at Munro Footwear Group. In her new role, Emily will spearhead the company’s people strategy, leading a team focused on enhancing employee experience, driving organizational transformation, and aligning HR initiatives with business goals to support Munro Footwear Group’s ongoing growth across Australia.
Emily has spent over three years at Munro Footwear Group in progressive HR leadership roles. Most recently, she was Senior People Experience Manager, partnering with the executive team to develop and deliver strategic people plans and leading a diverse team supporting both HR Business Partners and People Services. Her tenure also included stints as Senior HR & Talent Manager, HR Partnering Manager, and HR Business Partner Lead. Across these roles, Emily implemented impactful programs such as a business-wide engagement survey, lifecycle surveys, an employee value proposition overhaul, and change management initiatives that have redefined the HR function from transactional support to strategic partnership. She also managed the complex transition of the distribution centre and contributed to post-pandemic office reintegration.
Prior to joining Munro Footwear Group, Emily served as Human Resources Business Partner at The Kraft Heinz Company in London, where she collaborated closely with the senior leadership team across Northern Europe. She developed and executed people strategies covering diversity and inclusion, parental leave policy enhancements, learning and development, and key organizational restructuring. Her contributions included driving the adoption of company-wide diversity targets, leading critical position retention, and serving as an active member of the Gender Equality Network and PRIDE LGBTI+ resource groups.
Earlier in her career, Emily held several key HR roles at Coles Group in Melbourne, including People & Culture Manager, People & Culture Advisor, and Regional People & Culture Manager (Caretaking) for Coles Express. In these roles, she was responsible for supporting thousands of team members, launching leadership development initiatives, and championing gender balance and inclusion programs. Her tenure saw the creation and rollout of induction programs, career fairs, and people strategies for new stores, as well as robust support for LGBTI inclusion.
Before her time at Coles Group, Emily was with mecwacare, holding roles from Learning and Development Administration Assistant to Human Resources Business Partner. She partnered with managers to lead HR projects, coordinate large-scale recruitment during organizational expansion, and implement new HRIS systems. Emily’s experience also includes earlier roles in roster and administration management, giving her a strong operational grounding.
About Munro Footwear Group
Munro Footwear Group (MFG) is Australasia’s largest privately owned footwear company, housing some of Australia’s most recognized and trusted footwear brands including Midas, Williams, Mathers, Diana Ferrari, and more. Through a buy-and-build strategy, MFG has established a vast national footprint of company-owned stores and ecommerce sites, supporting growth and innovation across the industry. The group’s shared service model and commitment to talent make it a key destination for professionals looking to shape the future of footwear in Australia.
Read Also : HR Is Not a Support Function—It’s the CEO’s Most Powerful Growth Engine
The Fine Balance: Navigating Work, Life, and Mental Wellbeing
From Gatekeeping to Gateway Building: Transforming How Organisations Create Access
Leadership In Talent Management: A Powerful Driver for Economic Growth
