Meet the experts: Kristan De Sousa on leadership, contracting, and driving change

Welcome to our Meet the Experts series, where we spotlight the leaders who continue to shape their industries, driving meaningful change through their drive to be experts in their field. This week, we’re excited to feature Kristan De Sousa or better known as KJ – our National Contracting Director at Six Degrees Executive.  

With an incredible 17 years at Six Degrees, KJ is an expert in recruitment, leadership, and navigating transformation. 

From establishing and growing Six Degrees’ Brisbane office to leading the national expansion of our Contracting and Interim Talent Solutions division, KJ’s career has been marked by impactful leadership, adaptability, and a relentless commitment to excellence. 

We sat down with her to explore her journey, her perspective on market trends, and her advice for businesses navigating transformation. 

What initially drew you to Six Degrees Executive, and what has kept you here for 17 years? 

When I joined Six Degrees, I was early in my recruitment career and had just come from a global agency environment. I’d experienced the contrast between a boutique firm, where relationships and culture were central, and a global firm, where you often felt like a number. Six Degrees stood out immediately. It was clear from the very beginning that this was a business focused on helping people become the best versions of themselves, both personally and professionally. 

What’s kept me here for 17 years is the opportunity. I’m someone who thrives on new challenges, and Six Degrees has continuously offered me the chance to grow and evolve in my career. Every role has been different - whether it was building our Brisbane office or shifting mindsets about contracting on a national scale. The variety and ability to make an impact is what keeps me engaged. 

Over the years, you’ve taken on a variety of leadership roles. What accomplishments are you most proud of? 

Building the Brisbane office from scratch is without a doubt, the hardest and most rewarding role I’ve taken on. It was challenging and lonely at times, but it pushed me to grow in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I couldn't have done it without Jonathan Hall, he was with me from week one and has helped pick me up and keep going over the years. Looking back now, it’s incredibly fulfilling to see what we built and the incredible team that’s grown from those early days. 

Beyond that, what makes me proudest is being by the side of people’s career journeys – especially Jono - who now leads the Queensland business, and I’ve enjoyed being a part of the most. Watching team members grow, take on new challenges, and succeed is something that never gets old. Knowing I’ve played even a small part in shaping someone’s career is incredibly rewarding. 

As National Contracting Director, what excites you most about your current role? 

What excites me most is the potential to make a significant impact on Six Degrees as a business. Contracting is truly a team sport - no one person can drive this kind of change alone - but I feel privileged to be leading this effort. 

The opportunity to grow and expand our contracting division is incredibly motivating. It’s not just about the scale; it’s about the broader impact this growth can have on the business, our clients, and the candidates we support. Personally, it feels like coming home - contracting has always been my natural habitat and where I started my career, so I’m thrilled to be back in this space. 

What trends have you observed in how businesses are approaching agility and interim talent solutions? 

Transformation and agility often go hand in hand, but they require different mindsets. Permanent employees are deeply invested in an organisation’s long-term success, which can make them more impacted by changes. Interim talent, on the other hand, brings a fresh perspective and a focus on delivering results. 

In recent years, businesses have increasingly turned to interim solutions to drive agility during periods of transformation. Contractors can help businesses adapt quickly, offering expertise without being tied to long-term structures. It’s a model that works particularly well when organisations are navigating complex changes. 

You’ve been a strong advocate for diversity in senior leadership roles. What progress have you seen, and what advice would you give to businesses striving for more diverse leadership teams? 

While there’s been progress in terms of appetite for diverse leadership, the data shows we still have a long way to go. One of the biggest challenges is that change takes time - it’s not something that can happen overnight. 

True diversity requires more than just hiring diverse leaders; it’s about creating an environment where they can succeed. Businesses need to examine their policies, processes, and structures to ensure they’re setting leaders up for success. Simple shifts, like equal parental leave policies, can have a big impact on creating a more equitable playing field. 

In your career, you’ve emphasised the importance of being the master of your own destiny. How has this mindset shaped your journey, and what advice would you give to others? 

I truly believe in being the master of your own destiny. If you want opportunities, you have to speak up, put yourself forward, and be willing to take risks. That mindset has shaped every decision I’ve made in my career. 

Boredom is my enemy, so I’ve always said yes to new challenges - sometimes before I felt ready. It’s about being open to change, recognising your strengths, and finding ways to create value for the business. If you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone, the rewards can be incredible. 

What do you find most rewarding about your work? 

For me, it’s about solving problems and removing roadblocks. Whether it’s fixing infrastructure challenges or rallying a team toward a common goal, I love being able to make a tangible difference. 

While I enjoy mentoring and supporting my team, I don’t consider myself a traditional leader. What I do well is to lead by example, inspire action, and create the conditions for others to succeed. That’s what makes this work so fulfilling. 

If you’re looking to leverage interim solutions, drive transformation, or build a more agile workforce, connect with Kristan De Sousa or the Contracting team for expert advice and support.