Dear Wieke, we are absolutely so delighted to have met you ! For Diversein readers, could you please tell us, who is Wieke Gur?
Wieke was born and raised in Indonesia, where she gained fame in the mid-’80s and ’90s as an award-winning songwriter, collaborating with the renowned Indonesian composer Elfa Secioria. Their compositions represented Indonesia on the international stage during that time.
After earning a degree in Marketing, Wieke worked as a marketing communication professional across various industries, including advertising, banking, and publishing. Upon moving to Australia with her family in 1998, Wieke transitioned into her role as an Intercultural and DEI coach. She now helps leaders, teams, and organizations develop their cultural intelligence and foster inclusive environments, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. She also works extensively with international assignees and expatriates. Her passion for languages and cultures led her to found Bahasa Kita in 2006, an Indonesian language and culture online resource for teachers and learners.
Being originally from Indonesia, in your own experience, what are the main differences you see in these countries (Australia & Indonesia) about the topic of DEI?
Australia’s diversity stems from migration, leading to formal DEI practices with strong legal frameworks and policies aimed at promoting equity and inclusion in workplaces and communities. There is a strong emphasis on measurable outcomes, such as diversity in leadership roles and equal pay.
Despite strong DEI frameworks, significant gaps remain in achieving true equity and reconciliation with Indigenous Australians.
Leadership, job sectors and politics continue to be predominantly occupied by those of Anglo-Saxon heritage, highlighting ongoing challenges in achieving full inclusivity and representation. Diversity in Indonesia is mainly driven by its indigenous ethnic groups, languages, and cultures across its many islands. The focus is on national unity and social harmony, with the concept of “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” (Unity in Diversity) being deeply ingrained. Inclusivity is often integrated into broader social and religious practices rather than through formal DEI initiatives. The approach is more implicit, rooted in community and family values, and tends to focus on economic disparities and social justice rather than targeting specific demographic groups.
If we take the time back to your childhood, growing up, what did you want to do in your career?
As a little girl, I dreamed of becoming a stewardess, imagining a life filled with travel, meeting people from different backgrounds, and learning new languages.
As I grew older, my aspirations expanded. I envisioned myself working at the UN, becoming a global business leader, or even a prime minister, connecting with the world and immersing myself in diverse cultures. While those specific dreams didn’t materialize my current work in intercultural communication, DEI coaching, and global engagement has allowed me to fulfil that passion in a different but equally meaningful way.
I now help others navigate diverse experiences and connect with the world in ways I once imagined for myself.
Could you take us to the experience, what was your proudest moment in your life?
My proudest moments are those times when the person I’m interacting with—a mentee, coachee, or client—feels truly understood and listened to. It’s incredibly fulfilling when I can help them recognise their blind spots, offering insights that lead to personal growth and transformation. Those are the moments that remind me why I do what I do.
If you could have dinner with a historical or well-known character, who would that be? Why?
There are so many remarkable individuals I would love to meet, making it difficult to choose just one. I would love to have dinner with those who use their privilege and platform to inspire change in social justice, human rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and make a lasting impact on the world.
If you were to give one piece of advice to our readers, what would that be?
Stay curious and embrace empathy
How can our readers find you? Your social media or contact?
LinkedIn, Facebook, website. Some of my music related works are on YouTube and Spotify.