About Erin

Dr Erin Watson is an Australian speaker, moderator and MC trusted by global forums to navigate complex debates, bridge diverse perspectives, and engage audiences with clarity and substance.

With deep expertise in global public policy and international affairs, Erin brings a warm, personable style that makes even the most complex conversations accessible. She draws on a career advising governments, multilateral organisations, and global companies to distil policy into sharp, relatable insights. Erin holds a PhD in international business and brings academic rigour to real-world conversations — ensuring every voice is heard and every idea lands with impact.

A regular contributor to Sky News and ABC programs such as Q&A, The Drum, and Afternoon Briefing, Erin also appears frequently on Indian networks including ITV NewsX and CNN News18. Her media background adds energy, discipline, and professionalism to every event she hosts.

Erin has delivered keynotes and moderated panels in 15 countries — including China, Singapore, Spain, Chile, India, and Bangladesh — bringing a global perspective to every engagement. Her clients have included Crestron, Monash University, the Australian Institute of Company Directors, AFR Summits and Observer Research Foundation. She has chaired sessions at leading international forums such as Yerevan Dialogue (Armenia), Raisina Dialogue (India), and Innovation Island (Sri Lanka).

In her corporate career, Erin has advised companies including Roblox, BHP, Block, Afterpay, Moonee Valley City Council, Asian Development Bank and the United Nations. She is currently Managing Director of Baker & York which she established in 2020.

In her academic and think tank career she held senior leadership roles as Director of Asialink Diplomacy and Senior Fellow at the Perth USAsia Centre.

In her not-for-profit career, Erin established the Australia Latam Emerging Leaders Dialogue with over 50 volunteers across 12 countries, She co-established the award winning DICE (Digital, Innovative, Creative and Entrepreneurial) Kids delivering hundreds of lemonade stand kits across ANZ and appointing Lucy Turnbull AO as its Patron.

In her board career, Erin was appointed by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Marise Payne the to board of the Council on Australia and Latin America Relations and re-appointed by the subsequent Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator the Hon Penny Wong. As Chair of the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education, Erin led the organisation through a period of significant growth, overseeing a quadrupling of its budget to over $20 million.

Erin was named by the Australian as a Top 100 Innovator (2022) for thought leadership in public policy and was a finalist in the Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards in the not-for-profit category (2016).

Outside work, Erin can be found sailing on Port Phillip Bay (she is a qualified RYA Day Skipper) playing tennis with her husband, or running laps of the Tan. She has completed a full Ironman, several marathons, and trekked to Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal — just for fun. These days, most of her endurance training involves providing bespoke taxi services for her daughter.