After spending the earlier part of his career at Gerard Daniels, Tristan Kolay returned to the firm in 2026 as Senior Associate. He brings almost 20 years of experience to the role, having led executive search assignments and in-house talent acquisition functions for leading organisations across a range of industries.
Tristan has partnered with organisations across Australia, Africa, Asia Pacific and North America to deliver executive appointments spanning mining, oil and gas, engineering, EPCM, software and business transformation. Throughout his career, he has sourced senior talent across every stage of the mining lifecycle and delivered functional leadership appointments in design and process engineering, technology, project delivery and construction for major capital projects.
Having worked in both executive search and in-house talent acquisition, Tristan offers a unique perspective on the leadership challenges organisations face. He draws on this experience to provide trusted advice, build enduring relationships and align the priorities of clients and candidates throughout the search process.
Tristan’s interest in behavioural-based interviewing and due diligence helps him to identify leaders who not only meet the technical requirements of a role but also the cultural expectations of an organisation. He enjoys partnering with clients to solve complex talent challenges, connecting exceptional leaders with opportunities to make a meaningful impact, and creating lasting value through a thoughtful, rigorous and consultative search process.
Conversation Starters
- As a longstanding advocate for migrant and refugee communities, Tristan was recognised with the Volunteering WA Volunteer for Multicultural Communities Award in 2021. In 2022 he was also honoured with a Superintendent's Award in recognition of his volunteer firefighting service to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) in WA.
- Tristan chartered the Rotary Club of Elizabeth Quay (REQ) in 2017 as the Club’s inaugural President and remains an active Board Member for Rotary International. He also volunteers his time in support of Scouts Australia.
- Beyond the boardroom, Tristan enjoys spending time with his two young children – often hiking, cycling and playing the piano together.
