Board 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

Ms Christine Cawsey AM

(to 31 December 2029)

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 Gabrielle Trainor AO
Deputy 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 Linda O'Brien AM
Pro-Chancellor

(to 31 December 2026)

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.

Dr Amanda Larkin
Pro-Chancellor

(to 3 August 2030)

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
Pro-Chancellor

(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.

Mr Simon Hickey

(to 31 December 2029)

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 Martin Bowles AO PSM

(to 31 December 2029)

Martin is a respected healthcare executive and senior public servant who has dedicated his career to improving public health systems and service delivery across Australia. Until mid-2025, Martin served as National CEO of Calvary Health Care, where he led the organisation through a significant period of strategic transformation, focusing on integrated care, innovation, and values-based leadership.

During his time at Calvary, Martin oversaw a national network of hospitals, aged care facilities, and community services. His leadership was marked by a commitment to compassionate care, operational excellence, and long-term sustainability. He championed initiatives that improved patient outcomes, strengthened workforce capability, and enhanced Calvary’s reputation as a trusted provider of health and aged care services.

Before joining Calvary in 2017, Martin spent nearly 40 years in the Public Service both State and Commonwealth. He held several senior executive roles, including Secretary of the Department of Health, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. In these roles, Martin led major reforms in health financing, preventative care, and immigration policy, earning widespread respect for his strategic insight and collaborative leadership style.

Martin’s career has been defined by his ability to lead complex organisations through change, build strong cultures of accountability, and mentor emerging leaders. He is particularly skilled at aligning policy with practice and fostering partnerships across government, industry, and community sectors.

In recognition of his contributions, Martin was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2012 and appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2019 for distinguished service to public administration and healthcare policy. He holds a Bachelor of Business and a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management, and is a Fellow of CPA Australia.

Now retired from executive leadership, Martin continues to contribute to the health and public policy sectors through Non Executive Directorships, Advisory work, mentoring, and speaking engagements. He remains passionate about building systems that support equitable, person-centred services.

Mr Matt Graham

(to 31 December 2029)

Matt Graham is Chief Operating Officer at Allens, one of Australia's leading law firms.  He leads the firm's operations and business services, including information technology, human resources, strategy, finance, marketing, growth, risk management and innovation.

Prior to joining Allens in 2023, Matt spent 28 years at PwC, including seven years as a member of PwC's Executive Board. As National Managing Partner – Assurance, Matt led a team of over 200 Partners and 2,200 people in Australia and over 10,000 across Asia Pacific.

Holding a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney, Matt is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and has more than 30 years of experience in professional services and leadership.

Matt served as a member of ASIC's Accounting and Audit Standing Committee between 2016 and 2022, where he represented the needs of Boards, Executives and stakeholders in the capital markets through complex regulatory issues.  Matt is also a Board member of Gotcha4Life, a not-for-profit focused on improving the mental fitness of young people in Australia.

Matt has spent most of his life as a resident of Western Sydney and has been involved in various roles at Western Sydney University for over ten years, including as an original member of Western Sydney University's Foundation Council, member of the Audit and Risk Committee since 2018 and through the provision of scholarships for students.

Elected Members

Professor Alison Downham Moore

Academic Staff Member (to 31 December 2027)

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).

Ms Alison Barclay

Professional Staff Member (to 31 December 2027)

Alison Barclay BA (Hons), MSc, FCIPD is a senior organisational and leadership development professional with extensive experience across defence, public sector, education and not-for-profit sectors in the UK and Australia.

A Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD), Alison brings deep expertise in strategic organisational development, leadership capability, workforce transformation and systems thinking. She is recognised for translating strategy into sustainable operational practice and delivering enterprise-wide capability and performance uplift.

Alison served 22 years as a commissioned officer in the UK Royal Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force, holding senior leadership roles and contributing at executive and board level. She has since held senior organisational development and leadership roles in large, complex organisations, advising executives and governing bodies on people, culture and change.

She is a strategic and systems thinker, committed to enabling meaningful, people-centred change and long-term organisational sustainability.

Ms Lisa Hanlon

Postgraduate Student Member (to 30 June 2027)

Lisa Hanlon is a Master of Research student at Western Sydney University. Lisa’s research topic is investigating the optimal models of care for the management and prevention of weight gain in breast cancer patients. Through this study. Lisa aims to explore how the Australian primary health care system can better support cancer survivors to prevent cancer recurrence and chronic disease progression, a subject deeply personal to her after the loss of her sister to melanoma in 2020.

Lisa brings to the Board of Trustees a wealth of experience from her 19-year career in the tertiary education sector, where she has held significant leadership roles. As Chief of Staff to the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Western Sydney University, she fostered strong relationships across the University to facilitate institutional outcomes. As a project manager, Lisa also led large-scale projects such as the Academic Structure Implementation and the Student Experience and Marketing stream of the Enterprise Service Management Program. Her work in curriculum design and development has also contributed to shaping academic programs.

Now, as a clinical nutritionist, Lisa specialises in chemo prevention and integrative oncology and provides personalised nutritional support for cancer patients, leveraging her expertise in both nutrition and healthcare systems to drive positive change. She is committed to using her education, research and personal experiences to advocate for improvements in patient outcomes.

Lisa’s diverse academic background, which includes a Bachelor of Arts (History, Politics, and Philosophy), a Master of Teaching, and a Bachelor of Health Science (Nutritional and Dietetic Medicine), complements her holistic approach to education and leadership. She is driven by a commitment to improving both the student experience and institutional outcomes and is dedicated to using her varied expertise to support the University’s continued growth and success.

Miss Pooja Zinzuwadia

Undergraduate Student Member (to 31 December 2027)

Pooja is an undergraduate Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Criminal and Community Justice student at Western Sydney University and an ardent advocate for student rights.

Known across the student cohort for several landmark reforms that have reshaped the student experience at Western. Most notably, she led the successful campaign to secure automatic three-day assessment extensions and standardised 11:59pm submission times across the university, changes that continue to support thousands of students each year.

A passion ate campaigner for gender equity and student wellbeing, she is currentlyspearheading the initiative to introduce free period products across WSU campuses and wishes to advance this project through her role as a Trustee. Her advocacy is grounded in a commitment to removing barriers to participation and ensuring that every student can engage fully in their education with support.

In 2024, she served as Vice-President (Education) of the Student Representative Council, where she oversaw academic advocacy. In 2025, she was elected General Secretary of the SRC, continuing her leadership in governance and operational oversight. She is also one of the founding members of the Western Sydney University Student Union, helping build the University’s first independent, student-driven body dedicated to student representation.

Pooja intends to use her position to embed lasting, student-centred reforms that continue to elevate equity across the Western Sydney University.