OUR TEAM

Barbara Cail, founder and former Executive Chair of Rala Information Services, managed 12 industry magazines and exhibitions. In 1984, she launched Portfolio magazine for businesswomen, which led to the creation of Chief Executive Women (CEW). A tireless advocate for women in business, Barbara has held numerous leadership roles, including past Chair of the NSW Government Small Business Development Board and Director of Alzheimer’s NSW. She also served on the Federal Government Task Force for Leadership and Management and various advisory panels. Currently, she is a Governor of The Smith Family Council, continuing her commitment to community and empowerment.

1991, later selling to Sara Lee Corporation in 1997. An influential leader, she has served on numerous boards, including St Vincent’s Hospital and the Garvan Medical Research Foundation. Honored as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1995 and awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001, Imelda has contributed to various organizations, including Bond University, APEC, and the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, showcasing her commitment to business and community development.

Wendy McCarthy is a distinguished executive and company director who began her career as a teacher before transitioning into public life in 1968. A passionate advocate for change, she has worked across sectors including education, women’s rights, and public health. Wendy has held leadership roles in organizations such as Plan Australia and the ABC. As a founding member of Chief Executive Women, she has championed women’s rights initiatives, including the NSW Pro Choice Alliance campaign. Recognized as an Officer of the Order of Australia, Wendy is celebrated for her impactful leadership and her dedication to inspiring future generations of women.

Helen Lynch is a former banker with a distinguished career at Westpac, rising from a junior staff member to a member of the Bank’s Executive Committee and eventually serving on the Westpac Board as Chair of both The Westpac Foundation and the Westpac Staff Superannuation Fund. A founding Director of the Westpac Bicentennial Foundation (now the Westpac Scholarship Fund), she remains active on its National Selection Committee. Helen has served as a Non-Executive Director on several publicly listed companies and holds advisory roles with Family Foundations. A committed community leader, she has chaired the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and was a founding member and former President of Chief Executive Women. Honored as a Member of the Order of Australia in 1994 and awarded the Centenary Medal in 2003, Helen also received an honorary doctorate from Griffith University in 2005 for her contributions to business and community leadership.

Sandra Yates is now retired. She is a former President of CEW, and was Chair of Saatchi & Saatchi Australia from 1996 to 2004. She was publisher of Time magazine from 1990 to 1994, Chair of the NSW TAFE Commission Board from 1997 to 2007, Chair of Sydney Writers’ Festival from 2000 to 2011, and Chair of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music from 2014 to 2022. She was a founding board member of the newly independent National Art School. 

The Honourable Dr. Annabelle Bennett AC SC is a retired Judge of the Federal Court of Australia and former additional judge of the Supreme Court of the ACT. A Senior Counsel specializing in intellectual property, she was Chancellor of Bond University until May 2024. Annabelle has held various leadership roles, including Chair of Land Services SA and Arbitrator for the Court of Arbitration for Sport. A past President of Chief Executive Women, she earned her BSc (Hons) and PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Sydney and her law degree from the University of New South Wales. In 2019, she was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for her distinguished service to law, higher education, and sports arbitration.

Diane Grady is a distinguished business leader and board director, currently serving on the boards of Macquarie Group, Spotless Group, and ASI. A former President of Chief Executive Women (2002-2004), she has championed initiatives to attract and retain female talent in the workplace. With an MBA from Harvard, Diane was the first female partner at McKinsey & Co. outside the US and has held significant roles in public and not-for-profit organizations. In 2009, she was made a Member of the Order of Australia for her contributions to business and women’s leadership.

After a 30-year career in banking in Australia and overseas, Jillian Broadbent left her executive position to become a non-executive director of a number of companies. Prior to her resignation from Bankers Trust Australia, she was a senior executive and department head at that bank.

Catherine Livingstone has served as Chairman of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia since January 2017, following her appointment as a Director in March 2016. A highly respected company director and chartered accountant, she brings over 22 years of executive experience, notably as CEO of Cochlear Limited. Catherine is a former President of Chief Executive Women and has chaired Telstra Corporation and CSIRO. Her board roles include Macquarie Group, Goodman Fielder, and Rural Press, and she contributed to the NSW Government’s Innovation and Productivity Council. Awarded Officer of the Order of Australia in 2008, she holds directorships with WorleyParsons, The George Institute, and serves as Chancellor of the University of Technology Sydney.

Naseema Sparks is a seasoned growth director with extensive experience in technology-driven business models that disrupt traditional industries. She excels in strategic roles within publicly listed and private equity companies, focusing on the digital economy. Known for her ability to drive revenue growth and sustainable differentiation, Naseema has successfully managed turnaround situations at PMP Ltd and Melbourne IT Ltd. Her expertise spans business strategy, e-commerce, brand management, and media. With a hands-on approach in creative innovation industries, she fosters a culture of continuous improvement through IP and technology-driven growth.

Belinda Hutchinson is the Chancellor of the University of Sydney and serves as Chair of Thales Australia and Future Generation Global Investment Company. She is also a Director of Qantas Airways Limited, Australian Philanthropic Services, and a Trustee of the St Vincent’s Health Curran Foundation. Previously, she chaired QBE Insurance Group and held directorships with AGL, Telstra, Coles Myer, and Sydney Water. Belinda’s executive career includes roles as an Executive Director at Macquarie Group and Vice President at Citibank. She holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.

Christine Christian is a prominent Australian business leader with over 30 years of experience in financial services, private equity, and digital media. She currently chairs Kirwood Capital Group and serves as a director for FlexiGroup Limited, ME Bank Limited, and Lonsec Fiscal Group. A past President of Chief Executive Women (2013-2015), Christine was also CEO of Dun & Bradstreet Australia and New Zealand, where she significantly expanded the company. She led crucial industry reforms, including the Credit Reporting Reform, and advised the People's Bank of China on credit systems. Her management buyout of D&B Australia remains a case study at IMD Business School.

Diane Smith-Gander is a distinguished non-executive director with a diverse portfolio across various industries and geographies. A strong advocate for gender equity, she is a past president of Chief Executive Women (CEW). Diane currently chairs Zip Co Limited and HBF Health Limited, and serves as a non-executive director for Perenti, a listed mining services company. With over 11 years on the Wesfarmers board, she previously chaired Broadspectrum during a challenging period and had a significant tenure at AGL Energy. Diane also led DDH1 Limited through its float and acquisition of Swick Mining Services.

Kathryn Fagg is an accomplished chair and board member with extensive experience in senior executive roles across diverse industries, including resources, manufacturing, logistics, banking, and professional services throughout Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. Currently, she serves as Chair of Boral Ltd and Non-Executive Director of Djerriwarrh Investments and Incitec Pivot. Previously, Kathryn was a board member of the Reserve Bank of Australia (2013-2018) and Chair of Parks Victoria. She is also involved with the Melbourne Recital Centre and Breast Cancer Network Australia. In 2019, Kathryn was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her distinguished service.

Sue Morphet has more than  30 years of management experience in brand, consumer goods, manufacturing and retail across Australia and New Zealand. She was Senior Executive of Pacific Brands Limited from 1996 to 2012, General Manager of Tontine, Group General Manager of Bonds from 1999 to 2007, CEO of Pacific Brands Limited from 2007 to 2012, and Chair of Manufacturing Australia from 2012 to 2014. She is currently a non-Executive Director in Australia and past President of Chief Executive Women.

Sam Mostyn is a prominent businesswoman and sustainability adviser, appointed as the 28th Governor-General of Australia from July 1, 2024. She is a former President of Chief Executive Women and Chair of the Women’s Economic Opportunities Review, with extensive governance experience across sectors, including business, climate change, and the arts. Sam has served on boards such as Mirvac and Citi Australia’s consumer bank, and she was a founding supporter of 1 Million Women. Recognized for her contributions to sustainability and diversity, she was awarded an AO in 2021 and received the UN Day Honour Award in 2020. Sam holds a BA/LLB from ANU and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from ANU.

Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz is Chair of the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council, a non-Executive Director of Rio Tinto Limited and the Macquarie Group, a member of the Sydney Opera House Trust and a member of the INSEAD Global Board. Susan was Chief Executive Officer of Mirvac and a Director of the Mirvac Board from 2012 to 2023. Prior to this appointment, Susan was Managing Director at LaSalle Investment Management in London. Susan has also held senior executive positions at MGPA, Macquarie Group and Lend Lease Corporation, working in Australia, the US and Europe. Susan holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the University of Sydney and an MBA (Distinction) from INSEAD (France).

Helen Conway is an experienced leader, director, senior executive and lawyer who has worked in a range of organisations in the commercial, public and not-for-profit sectors. She has extensive experience as a Board Chair and Director in various sectors including health, transport, energy, housing and homelessness, education and training, financial services and domestic and family violence.
Helen is currently the Chair of KU Children’s Services, Australian Business Volunteers and Mary’s House (a domestic violence service) and a Non-executive Director of the NSW Energy Security Corporation and Youth Off The Streets.