Redefining Global Mobility with Purpose
Ursula Dyer Lepporoli: Moving Minds, Moving People — Redefining Global Mobility with Purpose
When Ursula Dyer Lepporoli boarded a plane from the United States to Australia in 2005, she wasn’t chasing a partnership title or a tax career. She was chasing curiosity. The young international student, newly enrolled in a Master’s degree in Commerce with a specialisation in Banking, had little idea that a part-time role would launch a twenty-year journey inside one of the world’s most respected professional services firms — and transform her into a leading voice in the global mobility and taxation arena.
Two decades later, as a Partner at KPMG Australia, Ursula stands at the intersection of technical excellence and human connection. Her story isn’t one of linear ambition but of evolution — proof that purpose, adaptability, and authenticity can craft a career that succeeds in the boardroom while leaving a tangible imprint on society.
The Accidental Expat
Ursula’s introduction to the world of tax wasn’t planned; it was serendipity that shaped her professional DNA. On arriving in Sydney, she took a part-time role with KPMG’s Global Mobility Services team as a junior tax preparer — a decision made for the moment that became the cornerstone of her life’s work.
“I didn’t board the plane with any intention to become an expat myself,” she reflects, “but joining a team where my accent was an asset eased me into what has become a fulfilling adult life lived abroad.”
It’s a quiet irony that the woman helping others navigate cross-border complexities would herself become a living embodiment of global mobility. Her journey from intern to partner is a story of continuous learning, built on the belief that tax — often dismissed as tedious — can, in fact, be transformative.
“I’ve worked through all the ranks from intern to partner,” she says with characteristic humility. “Across three cities and a brief stint in India before I had my son, I’ve never been bored.”
Today, she serves as KPMG’s Tax and Legal Lead for Victoria while also heading the firm’s Global Mobility practice in Melbourne. Her days demand equal parts intellect and empathy — a blend that has become her hallmark.
The Human Blueprint Behind Leadership
Ursula’s leadership philosophy isn’t drawn from management textbooks but from lived experience and self-awareness. When she moved to Melbourne to lead the local [Ursula Dy1] KPMG’s Global Mobility advisory practice in 2022, she built what she calls her “personal operating manual” — a thoughtful framework outlining how she works, communicates, and connects.
“I’m an early bird,” she explains. “I’m usually awake around 5 a.m. and I use that time for journaling, exercise, and meditation. After my son heads off to school, I check LinkedIn and emails to see what’s urgent. Then I plan my energy for the day.”
Her approach blends structure with mindfulness — not as buzzwords but as practical tools for navigating a high-pressure corporate world. Growing up in the United States taught her the value of directness. “I’m a genuine extrovert, so no one in my team is left guessing what’s on my mind,” she says. “But I also understand that assertiveness doesn’t work for everyone. I adjust my style to fit the space — to achieve maximum effectiveness.”
That empathy runs deep. She’s well known for her monthly walk-and-talk sessions with team members — informal check-ins that move beyond project updates to uncover personal motivations. “We often hear, ‘Bring your whole self to work.’ For me, that means understanding why my colleagues come to work so we can give them more of what inspires them to learn and grow.”
In a world that prizes efficiency, Ursula’s leadership slows things down to make room for listening. Colleagues describe her as energetic, passionate, empathetic, and practical — a combination that turns a complex field into a space for curiosity and connection.
Making Tax Engaging — and Surprisingly Fun
Making tax engaging is a professional challenge Ursula suits up for every day — and she’s turned it into an art form. Her passion for the subject is both intellectual and creative, reshaping how people connect with a topic often seen as technical or inaccessible.
Her pride and joy is her monthly newsletter, Mobility Matters: Breaking Down the Big Moments in Global Mobility. What began as a simple way to share insights has grown into a community of more than 4,000 subscribers. Each edition distills complex tax and mobility topics into clear, relatable ideas. One standout piece — The Truth About Work from Anywhere — caught the attention of LinkedIn’s U.S. editors, earning a spot among the platform’s Top 10 highlights.
“I enjoy digging deeper while keeping the information relevant and relatable to those who wouldn’t normally enjoy reading about tax,” she says. Her success proves that technical expertise doesn’t have to alienate; it can enlighten when delivered with humanity and humor.
Ursula was also named a LinkedIn Top Voice for her thought leadership on enabling talent movement through tax — recognition that speaks not only to her expertise but to her authenticity. “I prefer to write every word myself — for me, the joy lies in the human connection that writing creates,” she says.
Her influence extends beyond digital platforms. She’s the driving force behind Melbourne’s Mobility Meetup, a vibrant forum where professionals in tax, HR, and mobility exchange ideas and build community. For Ursula, these gatherings aren’t just about networking; they’re about belonging.
Balancing Motherhood and Ambition
Behind Ursula’s poised leadership lies a deeply human truth shared by many professional women — the delicate balance between motherhood and ambition. She speaks of it candidly, not as a corporate executive but as a woman who has made difficult, deliberate choices.
“One of my biggest challenges was deciding if, when, and how many kids to have,” she says. “Women don’t have a choice about facing time outside the office if they choose to start a family. Selecting when to take the plunge was a hard decision.”
Her gratitude toward her husband is heartfelt. “I’m very grateful that my husband stopped working for many years so I could return to my career. We made a conscious decision to have one child. It’s the best and hardest job being a mother. I love having a career and my son.”
It’s a reflection of Ursula’s wider worldview — one that values empathy, gratitude, and respect for diverse paths. “I’m also respectful and occasionally envious of those who’ve chosen or been forced down a different path,” she admits with rare honesty.
Building the Future of Global Mobility
For Ursula, the future of global mobility will hinge on a careful balance between automation and trust. “We’re already in the age of real-time reporting,” she notes. “The car is only accelerating, and it will drive more automation of tax.”
Yet technology, she emphasizes, will not replace advisors — it will redefine their purpose. “There will always be a role for advisors as we support clients in transforming to meet new demands,” she says. “We must continue to build the trust the market demands in a future where truth in tax cannot be subjective.”
While technology reshapes tax, Ursula is equally focused on another transformation — sustainability.
Sustainability in Motion
She is acutely aware of the environmental footprint of the industry she helps shape. “It’s an undeniable truth that moving people around the world takes a toll on the environment,” she says. Rather than merely acknowledge the issue, she’s acted on it.
Together with her co-conspirator Keryn Mendes and Global Mobility Lead – APAC, Japan & India, Ursula co-created the Environmentally Sustainable Future for Global Mobility initiative — a pioneering collaboration that connected industry leaders with Monash University students to reimagine mobility with sustainability at its core. The winning team presented their concept at the Forum for Expatriate Management (FEM) in London and later appeared on the U.S. podcast LOVE + RELO, hosted by Ben Cross.
This intersection of corporate leadership, education, and sustainability perfectly captures Ursula’s ethos: meaningful change begins with curiosity and collaboration.
Changemaker in Action
Recognition has followed Ursula not because she pursued it, but because her work amplifies others. In October 2024, she became the inaugural recipient of KPMG’s Changemaker Award for community engagement and impact — presented by the Hon. Julia Gillard AC, former Prime Minister of Australia.
Ursula’s impact extends far beyond the boardroom. Her leadership has shaped major organisations across Australia, from the Royal Women’s Hospital to the Victorian Governor’s Leadership Council. She also previously served on the board of Multicultural Arts Victoria, where she contributed her expertise to strengthen cultural representation and community arts initiatives before stepping down in May.
Through her role Victoria Tax & Legal Lead, she also supports initiatives like Meals with Impact and regularly speaks at events such as Black Wealth Connect. Nextgen Unite, on the other hand, is an organisation where she currently serves as the Board Chair, championing the next generation of diverse leadership.
Her influence flows naturally between corporate and community spaces — a rare alchemy of intellect and empathy. “I’m happy to give back to the communities I feel connected to — including women, the West of Melbourne, and culturally diverse humans,” she says. Her actions make that statement tangible.
Navigating the Fragile Future
Asked about the greatest challenge facing her industry, Ursula distills it to a single word: movement. “The challenge for global mobility lies within the name,” she says. “The pandemic showed us what restricted movement looks like — and it wasn’t great for business.”
Open borders and fair tax systems, she believes, are the twin pillars of a thriving global workforce. “Globalisation isn’t dead,” she insists. “We just have to keep working at the fragile concept to improve its fair and kind application.”
Her optimism is grounded in realism. The world isn’t becoming more predictable — and that, she argues, is precisely why human expertise remains invaluable. “Our team and the clients we work with must continue to find agile ways of working. That’s the challenge I love — using curiosity and expertise to forge novel answers.”
No Regrets, Only Momentum
If she could change anything about her career, Ursula’s answer is pragmatic and poetic: “I’m not big on regrets. I’m grateful for all the twists and turns that have gotten me to where I am now.” Perhaps, she adds with a laugh, a bit more international travel — “you know, practice what you preach.”
Her favorite quote captures her energy perfectly: “Get busy living or get busy dying.” For Ursula, every day is a conscious choice — a reminder that progress, in life or tax, is built moment by moment. “Every moment is an opportunity to see the glass half full and go for it,” she says. “The goal will change over time, but your enthusiasm for moving forward shouldn’t.”
Legacy in Motion
There’s a quiet strength to Ursula Dyer Lepporoli — not the kind that shouts, but the kind that steadies. Her twenty-year journey at KPMG isn’t just a story of career ascent; it’s a study in integrity, curiosity, and human leadership. She stands as both a guide and a participant in a rapidly changing world, where the boundaries between work, community, and identity continue to blur.
For Ursula, movement has never simply meant crossing borders — it has meant expanding the human capacity for understanding. Her story reminds us that leadership isn’t about holding ground; it’s about moving — minds, systems, and people — toward something better. And in that movement, Ursula continues to build a legacy that proves tax can be more than compliance; it can be connection.
