Board Members

Official Members

Professor Jennifer Westacott AC
Chancellor

Professor Jennifer Westacott AC commenced as Chancellor of Western Sydney University on 1 January 2023. She is the University’s fourth Chancellor and the first woman to serve in the role.

Jennifer has tirelessly advocated for fairness through opportunity, greater access to education, equity, diversity, and equality. She champions a stronger economy as the best way to deliver higher living standards for all Australians and to ensure no one is left behind.

Under her leadership alongside Vice-Chancellor Distinguished Professor George Williams AO, Western Sydney University is deeply invested in the communities it serves, in Western Sydney and overseas.

The University champions Western Sydney’s advantages of cultural and linguistic diversity, entrepreneurialism, youth and dynamism. It is taking a leading and coordinating role in the region’s economic and social transformation to ensure the positive impact and benefits flow to the community.

Jennifer has an unrivalled combination of extensive policy experience in the highest levels of the public and private sectors. She knows that for Australians to succeed, businesses, governments and institutions must work together to advance the national interest.

Professor Westacott's full biography is in the Chancellor's section of our site.

Distinguished Professor George Williams AO
Vice-Chancellor

Distinguished Professor George Williams AO is the Vice-Chancellor and President at Western Sydney University. He is proud to lead an institution renowned for providing broad access to higher education and for achieving real-world impact through positive social, environmental and economic change in Western Sydney and globally.

Professor Williams commenced as Western Sydney University’s fifth Vice-Chancellor in July 2024, bringing decades of experience as a constitutional law scholar and teacher, senior leader in higher education, barrister and as a national thought leader.

He began his academic career at the Australian National University before joining the University of New South Wales as the Anthony Mason Professor and later a Scientia Professor. He was the first legal academic selected as an Australian Laureate Fellow, the nation’s top research award, and has held visiting positions at Columbia University, Durham University, Osgoode Hall Law School and University College London.

Professor Williams’ 43 books include Australian Constitutional Law and Theory, The Oxford Companion to the High Court of Australia and Human Rights under the Australian Constitution. As one of Australia’s pre-eminent experts in constitutional law, he has made significant contributions both nationally and internationally in the areas of human rights, federalism, Indigenous justice, electoral law and national security. Professor Williams’ passion for providing opportunities for students and a quality education is evidenced through many years of teaching constitutional law and having authored the leading student text in this field.

The full biography for Professor Williams is available on the Vice-Chancellor's section of our site.

Professor Robert Mailhammer
Chair of Academic Senate

Robert Mailhammer is Professor of Linguistics in the School of Humanities and Communications Arts and a member of The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development. He is the current Chair of Academic Senate. Other leadership and governance roles Robert has held include Chair of the Professoriate Leadership Group (June 2020-June 2022), Director of Academic Program Interpreting and Translation, Languages, Linguistics and TESOL (2021) and Associate Dean, Research in the School of Humanities and Communication Arts (2019-2021).

Robert is Treasurer of the Australian Linguistic Society and Area/Co-Editor of Linguistics Vanguard and Northwestern Language Evolution. He is the author of four research monographs and over 50 peer reviewed research publications in high-quality journals and with prestigious publishers. Robert’s research interest focus on language variation and change as well as on language documentation. He is an internationally recognized expert on the history of the Germanic and Australian Indigenous language. Robert has documented languages in Northwestern Arnhem Land, NT for over 15 years, engaging successfully with local communities and partner organisations.

Appointed Members - Ministerial

Mr Simon Hickey

(to 31 December 2025)

As a senior executive of more than 30 years across aviation, construction and retail, Simon Hickey leads the team developing the business and infrastructure for Sydney’s new airport, Western Sydney International Airport (WSI).

Formerly CEO of Qantas’ International, Freight and Frequent Flyer businesses, as well as Greencross and Campus Living Villages, Simon currently serves on the board of IAG Loyalty, in addition to his role with Western Sydney University. Simon has also served as CFO of Lendlease in the Americas. His experience includes large-scale business transformation, as well as international mergers and acquisitions.

As former chief executive of Qantas International and Freight, Simon returned the flagship Australian brand to profitability. The global employer of almost 9,000 was able to establish new network alliances, improve aircraft utilisation and increase customer relations. His leadership transformed Qantas’ loyalty program from its origins of 20 people in direct marketing to a separate, independent business that is now valued at over $3 billion.

Simon is committed to leveraging leading customer experience, people and digital outcomes to set a new benchmark for an Australian airport experience for passengers, airlines and air cargo operators. Simon sees WSI as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to elevate Western Sydney to the world stage and drive tangible and enduring socioeconomic outcomes for the region’s communities.

Mr Brendan Thomas

(to 5 August 2028)

Brendan Thomas is a proud Dharug man who grew up on Country in Western Sydney. A seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in the global Property and Construction sectors, Brendan has held senior roles at Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Lendlease, where he successfully led large-scale projects both domestically and internationally.

As the Co-Founder of NGNU, a Project Management and Property Consultancy, Brendan oversees property and construction projects for corporate, government, and private clients across Australia, while championing meaningful employment pathways for First Nations people.

Brendan is a member of the NSW Division Council at the Property Council of Australia, guiding advocacy and member services in alignment with the National Board’s directives. He also serves as a Board Member of Community Resources, a not-for-profit organization committed to creating jobs for those facing employment barriers, while protecting Country through its environmental repair social enterprises. In addition, he is a Mentor with Mentoring Men, an Australian charity that offers free, long-term, one-on-one mentoring for men navigating life’s challenges.

Brendan’s academic journey began with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Hons) at Western Sydney University (WSU), followed by an MBA (Technology) and a Diploma in Frontline Business Management. With a deep connection to Western Sydney, he is dedicated to fostering sustainable, Country-centred development in his role at WSU, ensuring the region’s growth aligns with responsible stewardship and the values of Country.

Appointed Members - Board

Ms Elizabeth Dibbs
Deputy Chancellor

(to 31 December 2025)

Liz Dibbs is a non-executive director in the government and for-purpose sectors. Liz is Deputy Chancellor of Western Sydney University, Chair of its Audit & Risk Committee, member of the Board Executive and Transnational Advisory Committee; Board Member of the National Portrait Gallery and Chair of its Audit & Risk Committee; Chairman of United Way Australia; Governor of the Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, member of its Audit & Risk Committee and Trustee of the Centenary Foundation.

She was the Western City District Commissioner with the Greater Cities Commission from 2018 to 2022, President of YWCA NSW from 2007-2011, a Director of YWCA NSW from 2000-2007 and a director of YWCA Australia from 2009 to 2013. Liz has also previously served as a Council Member of Chief Executive Women and Chair of its Scholarships Committee. She remains a committed member of Chief Executive Women.

Liz was a Partner and General Counsel of PwC until 2005 and also previously worked with major law firms Mallesons Stephen Jaques (Sydney) and Linklaters & Paines (London).  Liz is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Law Society of NSW.

Ms Kerry Stubbs
Deputy Chancellor

(to 31 December 2025)

Kerry Stubbs has significant leadership experience and expertise in the human capital field, including her roles as CEO and Managing Director of Northcott and as the Executive Director of St Vincent’s Hospital.

She has extensive human resources experience and expertise, having worked both as a consultant and a senior practitioner in a variety of human resources roles, culminating in her appointment as the first Corporate Human Resources Manager of Sydney Water. She has also held senior operation roles in the water industry.

Kerry is appointed to a number of government and not for profit Boards and Committees, including Chair of Northcott Innovation, Director of Healthy North Coast Ltd, Director of the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities Ltd, and member of the NSW Domestic and Family Violence and Sexual Assault Council. She has worked as an academic at both Sydney University and the University of Technology. She has been appointed to the College of Adjuncts at Western Sydney University, and has recently been reappointed as a member of the Consumer Advisory Committee of the Digital Health Authority.  She has also been appointed to the Disability and Health Sector Consultation Committee, chaired jointly by the Department of Health and DSS.

Kerry has undergraduate and postgraduate honours degrees in Government and Public Administration, and has undertaken study at both Harvard and Stanford Graduate schools of business. She is particularly interested in using human centred design thinking to foster innovation and better codesign of services and systems for the people who use them, and in particular disadvantaged and minority communities. In 2015 she was voted among the top 25 Australians in Pro Bono Australia’s Impact List and in 2007 was the NSW Telstra Businesswoman of the Year in the Community and Government Sector.

Dr Linda O'Brien AM
Pro-Chancellor

(to 31 December 2025)

Dr Linda O’Brien AM is a Principal Coach Mentor with the NSW Department of Education. Previously, she served as a Principal, School Leadership for the NSW Department of Education. She was the Principal of Granville Boys High School, a comprehensive Boys school that serves the socially and linguistically diverse community of Granville/Auburn and Guilford, 2008 -2019 and the Deputy Principal; Head Teacher English at Punchbowl Boys High School, from 2002 to 2008. She has taught in high schools, primary schools and TAFE in NSW and in Queensland. She has served as Chairperson for the School for Life Foundation, Deputy Chairperson of the Sydney Peace Foundation, Founder and Chairperson of the Molly McDonnell Foundation (2005-2009), and the Founder and Chairperson of the Bali International School.

Dr O’Brien is an alumnus of Western Sydney University, having completed a Doctor of Education in 2017. She also holds a Master of Arts from Sydney University (1993) and a Bachelor of Arts from Macquarie University (1981). Dr O’Brien was granted a Member of the Order of Australia in 2013 for Innovation in secondary education and services to the community.

Mr Lee Pinder
Pro-Chancellor

(to 31 December 2025)

Lee Pinder is a business and property expert with more than 35 years’ experience in property funds management, property investment portfolio management, corporate real estate, corporate acquisitions, and development management.

He is Principal and Director of independent professional consultancy, Tekable Advisory, which provides broad strategic advisory services to a diversity of SME and larger corporate clients within the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. His advisory roles extend to business strategy development and delivery, change management, governance, real estate, financial management and risk management.

Lee held long term investment management roles within Schroders PLC and leadership roles in Jones Lang LaSalle (then Wootton). A feature of his career is a successful record in substantially increasing property investment returns and funds under management for listed, wholesale and private client entities within the retail, commercial and industrial property investment sectors. He has an extended market knowledge in a broad range of investment sectors, including infrastructure

A depth of corporate governance experience has been developed by Lee in directorship roles within both organisations and property investment vehicles and as a board level consultant.

Ms Gabrielle Trainor AO
Pro-Chancellor

(to 26 May 2028)

Gabrielle Trainor has more than 25 years’ experience as a non-executive director in a range of public and private entities operating in areas including urban development, transport and infrastructure, financial services and empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Australians, the arts and sport.

She has been involved with Western Sydney University in various capacities since 2010, including as a member of the board of trustees and an alumna.

Her background is as a lawyer, newspaper journalist, public sector executive and consultant in public policy, government relations and issues management.
She chairs the Construction Industry Culture Taskforce and co-chairs BuildSkills Australia. She is an AFL Commissioner and a board member of the Bradfield Development Authority (NSW), construction company Built Group Holdings Limited and listed investment company WAM Global. She is a trustee of the Charlie Perkins Trust, a member of the AIATSIS Foundation Council and an advisor to law firm Gadens.

She is formerly the interim Chief Commissioner of Infrastructure Australia and has conducted several reviews for governments. She has also had many non-executive roles in for purpose entities. Gabrielle has been an Associate of the Graduate School of Government at Sydney University and a member of the Monash Commission. She was a visiting scholar at Stanford University and completed a leadership course at Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Gabrielle has a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Melbourne and is a on the roll of barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court of Victoria. She has a Master of Arts in Cultural and Creative Practice from Western Sydney University.

She was made an Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia in 2017.

Dr Amanda Larkin

(to 3 August 2026)

Amanda Larkin leads more than 15,000 staff at the South Western Sydney Local Health District as the Chief Executive. As part of her role, Amanda provides strategic leadership and sound governance to achieve safe, equitable and quality health care for the growing and diverse population of south western Sydney, stretching from Bowral to Bankstown.

Amanda was appointed as Chief Executive in 2011 after working as the General Manager of Camden and Campbelltown Hospitals and the Queen Victoria Memorial Home.

Holding a Bachelor of Social Work and Associate Diploma in Environmental Service, Amanda has more than 30 years of experience in health service management.

In 2020, Amanda was recognised with an Honorary Doctorate from the University of NSW for her outstanding contribution to health care in south western Sydney.

In 2021, Amanda was recognised with an Honorary Doctorate from Western Sydney University for her significant and sustained contribution to the University and to the western Sydney region.

She serves as a Board Member of the Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, South Western Sydney Primary Health Network and Health Infrastructure and is the Chair of the Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise (SPHERE).

Ms Georgia Lee

(to 31 December 2026)

Georgia is an accomplished professional with an extensive track record in executive leadership and board membership.

Throughout Georgia’s career, she has consistently demonstrated strong  strategic thinking and innovative problem-solving. Playing key roles in leading, shaping and defining business propositions with large scale and complex dynamics and delivering through change management and business transformation across Telecommunications, Cloud Solutions, Wireless Applications, Mobility, Digital, Media, Transport and Finance sectors. Inspired, creative, analytical and energetic when faced with challenges, Georgia is very knowledgeable and passionate about driving take-up of new technologies.

As a board member, she has provided invaluable guidance and expertise to various organisations, contributing to their growth and success. Her deep understanding of the business landscape, combined with her ability to identify emerging trends, has made Georgia a sought-after advisor in the industry.

With a passion for driving digital business transformation and enhancing customer and employee experience, Georgia js now Senior Director of Publicis Sapient in the region.

In Georgia’s new role, she utilises her wealth of experience to spearhead initiatives that help organisations adapt to the ever-evolving digital landscape, ensuring they stay ahead of the curve. Georgia’s focus on customer and employee experience ensures that businesses not only meet but exceed the expectations of their stakeholders.

Mr Doug Taylor
Graduate Member

(to 21 February 2029)

Doug Taylor was appointed CEO of The Smith Family in August 2021. He has built a 30-year career in the social sector with national and international experience in leading innovative social impact initiatives in partnership with the not-for-profit, government, philanthropic and corporate sectors.

Prior to joining The Smith Family, Doug was the Deputy Executive Director at Uniting NSW and ACT. He has considerable experience in strategy and in managing large and complex organisations serving people experiencing disadvantage through human services, community and economic development, education, philanthropy, and social enterprise.

Doug’s passion for creating positive and lasting impact is evident through his Board appointments which include Western Sydney University (for whom he is also a Community Fellow), Wayside Chapel, Chair of Warakirri College (a school for disengaged young people in Western Sydney) and previously with WorkVentures and The Australian Centre for Social Innovation. He is also a member of the Centre for Social Impact Advisory Board (with whom he facilitates the Governance for Social Impact course), The Sydney University Equity Advisory Group, and Chair of the National Strategy for Volunteering Council.

Doug has completed post graduate studies in management, attended the Stanford Executive Non-Profit Leadership Program and is a graduate of the Australian Institute for Company Directors.

Elected Members

Professor Alison Downham Moore

Academic Staff Member (to 31 December 2025)

Alison Downham Moore FAHA, FRHistS, SFHEA, AAICD is Professor of History & Medical Humanities at Western Sydney University, a core member of the Translational Health Institute, a member of the Sexualities and Genders Research Group, and Chair of the Professoriate Leadership Group. She has previously been Associate Dean of Research for Humanities and Communication Arts, School Disability Coordinator, and Convenor of the History, International Relations and Politics group. She is author of 3 books, most recently, The French Invention of Menopause and the Medicalisation of Women's Ageing: A History (Oxford University Press, 2022), and of over 60 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.

Externally, she is an elected Fellow of both the Australian Academy of the Humanities and the Royal Historical Society (UK). She is an alumni research fellow of both the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Foundation (European Union) and of the Hanse Wissenschaftskolleg, Germany, and Editor-in-Chief of the journal Australian Feminist Studies. She holds a Senior Teaching Fellowship of AdvanceHE (UK), and is an international peer-reviewer of online teaching design with Quality Matters (USA).

In addition to her PhD in History and BA Honours Class 1 (with medal) in History and European Studies (University of Sydney), she has studied biomedical sciences (University of New England); Indigenous HDR supervision and curriculum (UTS and QUT); AI Studies (Oxford University - Said Business School); Governance for Not-for-Profits (Governance Institute of Australia); Business Administration and Management (London School of Economics and Political Science); Online Teaching Design and Peer-Review (Quality Matters); and holds a Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Education Management (University of Melbourne).

Mr Leslie Cowles

Professional Staff Member (to 31 December 2025)

Leslie has been a Professional Staff member at Western since 2003 and has held roles in Higher Degree Research Administration, a range of Admissions, Enrolments and Student Finance roles and is currently in Student Systems supporting the Banner project. His longest role at Western involved process improvement and application of the HESA legislation in Student Administration, punctuated by a range of management and project secondments. Prior to coming to Western he worked in the Job Network and Centrelink in Liverpool, Blacktown and Penrith.  At Centrelink his focus was on Austudy, Abstudy and the 1998 implementation of Youth Allowance and in the Job Network helping the long-term unemployed of Western Sydney back to work. Throughout, he gained an acute appreciation of the difference Western Sydney University can and does make to the people of our region.

Leslie is a regular community volunteer, including Parkrun, and has held elected roles in his local Anglican church since 2007, including being a warden since 2010. He has been on the WSU branch committee of the National Tertiary Education Union for much of his time at Western and was also on the NTEU bargaining team for two of the last three rounds of Enterprise Bargaining. He is a member of the Association for Tertiary Education Management and holds a Master of Educational Administration (Higher Education) (UNE 2010) where his final paper was on the Student Services and Amenities Fee.

On personal note Leslie is married and has two adult daughters, one a recent Western graduate.

Ms Lisa Hanlon

Postgraduate Student Member (to 30 June 2027)

Miss Swetha Kumar

Undergraduate Student Member (to 31 December 2025)

Swetha Kumar, is a medical student at Western Sydney University. In her role as the undergraduate student representative, she hopes to assist in shaping the university’s strategic direction, advocating for policies that enhance student experiences and promote academic excellence across the institution.

With a strong interest in public health policy and a focus on equity and inclusion, Swetha brings a well-rounded perspective to the Board. As a member of the Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA), she has co-authored and reviewed several policy papers, including ‘Mental Health’ (2022), ‘Health and Human Rights’ (2023) and the ‘Medical Curriculum Guide for LGBTQIASB+ Health’ (2023), which address public health challenges and the health needs of disadvantaged groups. Her leadership also extends to the AMSA Queer Subcommittee and her role as the Queer Representative for the Western Sydney Medical Society (WSMS). In these capacities, she has actively championed initiatives that support LGBTQIASB+ students, ensuring their voices are heard at the highest levels of university governance. Additionally, in these roles, she has also advocated for the teaching of LGBTQIASB+ safe healthcare practices within the medical curriculum.

Swetha’s contributions to the community are further demonstrated through her work at Pymble Ladies College, where she serves as the program coordinator for the TEDx Public Speaking program. This initiative is dedicated to empowering young women to develop their voice, build confidence, and become impactful leaders. Swetha mentors students in effective communication and leadership, fostering a culture of empowerment and inspiring the next generation of female leaders.

Through her role on the Board of Trustees, Swetha remains committed to ensuring that the university’s decisions reflect the diverse needs of its community while also supporting the institution’s long-term success and growth.

Contact

For more information, please contact Sophie Buck