Helping us move towards a more body kind Australia for all

With a background in communications and counselling, Kate Mulray is passionate about amplifying diverse representations of body image concerns and eating disorders by collaborating with individuals through storytelling to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage help-seeking behaviour.

Additionally, Kate advocates for the broader sector to effectively and safely integrate lived experiences into their initiatives. Committed to systemic change, Kate ensures that
lived experiences are central to driving meaningful and lasting impact. Kate is this weeks Pro Bono Australia change maker!

Describe your career trajectory and how you got to your current position.

My career has evolved significantly, leading me to my current role at Butterfly. Before joining Butterfly, I enjoyed a successful career in media sales, where I developed strong communication and relationship skills and had the opportunity to work overseas. However, I realised that traditional measures of success didn’t align with my personal values, which left me feeling unfulfilled.

Driven by a desire to follow my passions, I pursued a degree in counselling. This journey expanded my self-awareness, challenged my biases, and deepened my understanding of diverse experiences. During my studies, the Butterfly Foundation—an organisation that had been a crucial support during my own struggles with body image and disordered eating—offered a transformative and meaningful opportunity. I began by developing and managing our lived experience speakers’ program, Butterfly Pathfinders, supporting individuals share their stories publicly to challenge harmful misconceptions about eating disorders.

In my current role, I oversee both Butterfly Pathfinders and the Butterfly Collective—an online network of over 1,000 individuals across Australia with personal experiences of eating disorders, body image concerns, or caregiving roles. I also work on developing frameworks and best practices for engaging with and amplifying lived experience. My focus is on ensuring that lived experience remains central to everything we do and advocating for its importance and integration throughout the sector.

What does this role mean to you?

This role is deeply meaningful to me both professionally and personally. It might sound a bit cliché, but I genuinely feel fortunate every day to be doing what I do. Professionally, this role allows me to blend my skills and passions to make sure lived experiences are central to our work, driving meaningful change in the sector. On a personal level, having faced my own challenges, it’s incredibly fulfilling to be part of a team that truly understands and values these experiences. The work not only supports others but also provides me with valuable insights and lessons that enrich my own path.

If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give yourself as you first embarked on your career? 

If I could go back in time, I’d tell myself to follow my heart and remember that you only get one life—make it count by pursuing what truly fulfills you. It can be easy to get caught up in conventional measures of success, like financial gain and societal status (which are perfectly valid if those are your values). For me, real satisfaction comes from finding joy and meaning in your work, even if it doesn’t align with traditional expectations. While I acknowledge that this is a very privileged perspective, I believe that if you have the opportunity, staying true to your values can lead to a more meaningful and rewarding career, as well as a more fulfilling life overall.

And I can’t forget to mention the ever-persistent imposter syndrome! We all question our worth at times, but believing in your abilities and backing yourself is essential. If the doubt feels overwhelming, don’t hesitate to seek support—doing so is a sign of strength, not weakness.

How do you stay motivated to work in this field?

I stay motivated in this field because I’m genuinely passionate about the work we do. There’s a lot to tackle, but that challenge drives me. I’m dedicated to challenging diet culture, improving systems of care, and breaking down stigma so that everyone—regardless of age, gender, background, appearance or identity—can access safe and supportive care.

Even though my role might seem small in the grand scheme of things, being part of the effort to create a world where we’re kinder to our bodies and more accepting of all shapes and sizes is incredibly fulfilling. Knowing that every bit of work contributes to making a positive difference keeps me motivated, even when it feels like a long road ahead.

How do you unwind after work?

After work, I unwind with a few favourite activities. In warmer weather, I love to do laps at my local ocean pool—I’m convinced salt water is a magical cure. I also indulge in some trashy TV for a mental break and love cooking up something delicious. Since I’m a fan of clichés, I’ll use another one here: I truly believe in the oxygen mask on a plane analogy. To support others and perform your best at work, you need to first take care of yourself and prioritise your well-being.