Chancellor

Professor Jennifer Westacott AC

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.

During her 12 years as the Business Council of Australia’s longest-serving Chief Executive from 2011, Jennifer spent every moment advocating for a stronger and fairer society through achieving a faster growing, more diverse and internationally competitive economy.

Jennifer has rejoined KPMG as a Special Advisor to client teams. She worked at the leading firm before her BCA appointment, advising major corporations on climate change and sustainability and governments across Australia on significant reform priorities.

She is the Chair of the Bradfield Development Authority, overseeing the design and delivery of the nation’s first city in a Century. The Bradfield City Centre, which neighbours the new Western Sydney International Airport, will lead Australia’s development of cutting-edge new industries, skills and capabilities in areas such as advanced manufacturing, semiconductors and defence industries.

Jennifer is a long-standing Non-Executive Director of Wesfarmers, one of the nation’s largest and most community-engaged employers. She also sits on the board of ATCO, which provides integrated energy, housing, transportation and infrastructure solutions.

As Australia’s Business Champion to Indonesia, she is building closer investment, business and talent links with our nearest neighbour and emerging economic powerhouse. She also serves NSW as a global ambassador for business events. From 1 March 2025, Jennifer has served on the Reserve Bank of Australia’s new Governance Board.

Jennifer chairs Future Generational Global, which has adopted a creative philanthropic model based on traditional investment models to support youth mental health research.

She built her stellar career in the public sector, working in senior leadership positions in the NSW and Victorian governments to deliver better and more meaningful outcomes for people.

She served as the Director General of the NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, the Secretary of the Victorian Department of Education and Training, and the Director of Housing in Victoria. She was also the Deputy Director General of the NSW Department of Community Services, and the Deputy Director General of the NSW Department of Housing.

She is the inaugural Chair of the Board of Studio Schools of Australia, a patron of Mental Health Australia, the Co-Patron of Pride in Diversity, and a patron of the Pinnacle Foundation.

In 2018, Jennifer was made an Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia. She was recognised for her distinguished service to private and public sector administration through executive roles, to policy development and reform, to cross sector collaboration, to equity, and to business.  In 2025, Jennifer was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) as part of the King's Birthday Honours, for her exceptional leadership and distinguished service to business, public policy, the mental health sector, and higher education.

Jennifer has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of New South Wales and in 2017 received an Honorary Degree (Doctor of Letters) from her alma mater. She was a Chevening Scholar at the London School of Economics.