Professor Jennifer Westacott AO
Chancellor of Western Sydney University
Professor Jennifer Westacott AO 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 also served as Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia from 2011 - 2023, bringing a unique combination of extensive policy experience in both the public and private sectors. The Business Council of Australia is the nation’s premier business organisation, advocating for a stronger and fairer society through a more prosperous Australia. Under Jennifer’s leadership, the Business Council tirelessly champions meaningful policies that strengthen the ability of businesses to grow the economy for the benefit of all Australians.
Jennifer built her career in the public sector, working in senior leadership positions in the NSW and Victorian governments. She has 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.
As a senior partner at KPMG, Jennifer advised major corporations on climate change and sustainability and advised governments across Australia on significant reform priorities.
Jennifer has an unrivalled understanding of how the public and private sectors intersect and can work together to achieve the best outcomes in the national interest. Since 2013, Jennifer has served as a Non-Executive Director of Wesfarmers Limited. She is the Chair of the Western Parkland City Authority (previously known as the Western City & Aerotropolis Authority), which is overseeing the design and delivery of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, as well as integrated delivery across the Western Parkland City, a region which comprises 38 per cent of Greater Sydney’s area.
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.
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.
University Profile
Celebrating its 34th anniversary in 2023, Western Sydney University is a research-led metropolitan university operating over multiple teaching campuses in Western Sydney – one of Australia’s fastest growing regions, and home to over two million people.
It is an anchor institution for the region. Although a young university, Western Sydney University has a long tradition of providing higher education for over 200 years through its predecessor institutions. It prides itself on being a ‘University of the People”.
Today, Western Sydney University is one of the largest universities in Australia with almost 49,500 students and a growing international reputation for academic excellence and impact-driven research.
Western Sydney University has been named number one in the world for its social, ecological and economic impact in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings. It is also ranked amongst the top two per cent of universities in the THE World Rankings and named one of the world’s top 100 young universities.
With 80 per cent of its research also named as “world standard” or above in the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) assessment, Western Sydney University is committed to making a positive impact – at a regional, national and international level.
Western Sydney University’s values of Boldness, Fairness, Integrity and Excellence represent a commitment to students, people and communities, both local and global.
Western Sydney University is unlocking the potential of the next generation of global citizens, leaders and change-makers. With a focus on equipping graduates to be workplace ready, the University’s curriculum reflects the needs of the world we live in. It acknowledges that in today’s fast-paced and changing world universities don’t have the monopoly on knowledge or education.
In pioneering a model of co-created learning that treats strategic partners as co-creators in education, Western Sydney University works with business and industry leaders to develop course content that meets the needs of employers, the jobs of the future and responds to the challenges of a global workplace.
Western Sydney University’s approach recognises that learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom. Instead, it offers a combination of on-campus, online and clinical learning environments, with real-life work experience in professional and community settings.
With a focus on preparing students to go places and do great things, graduates of Western Sydney University are part of a strong network of global citizens who remain connected to and engaged with the University.
To find out more, visit the Western Sydney University website www.westernsydney.edu.au
Governance
Western Sydney University Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is the governing authority of Western Sydney University and has the following functions:
the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor
the strategic development of policies and plans with respect to the University, including major capital developments
oversight of the University’s educational directions and external profile
ensuring high ethical standards and effective management of risk
monitoring the management of the University’s resources and performance
representation of the University including at graduation, fund raising initiatives and community events.
For further information, refer to Western Sydney University’s Board of Trustees Charter .
Membership of Western Sydney University’s Board of Trustees is as follows:
Ex-Officio Members
Professor Jennifer Westacott AO – Chancellor (to 31 December 2026)
Professor Barney Glover AO – Vice-Chancellor and President
Professor Robert Mailhammer – Chair of Academic Senate
Appointed Members – Ministerial
Mr Simon Hickey (to 31 December 2025)
Ms Holly Kramer – Pro Chancellor (to 31 December 2021)
Appointed Members – Board
Ms Kerry Stubbs – Deputy Chancellor (to 31 December 2020)
Ms Georgia Lee (to 31 December 2022)
Ms Elizabeth Dibbs - Deputy Chancellor (to 31 December 2025)
Dr Linda O’Brien AM - Pro Chancellor (to 31 December 2025)
Mr Lee Pinder - Pro Chanellor (to 31 December 2024)
Mr Joseph Carrozzi AM (to 13 June 2024)
Mr James Christian PSM (to 31 December 2025)
Ms Natalia Centellas (nee Vukolova) - Graduate Member (to 31 December 2024)
Elected Members
Dr Fiona Pacey – Professional Staff (to 31 December 2023)
Associate Professor Jennifer Mensch – Academic Staff (to 31 December 2023)
Ms Coralie Properjohn – Postgraduate Student (to 30 June 2023)
Mr Bayan Sohailee – Undergraduate Student (to 31 December 2023)
Other Governing Bodies
Other Governing bodies within the University include:
Academic Senate
Chair – Professor Robert Mailhammer
Audit and Risk Committee
Chair – Ms Liz Dibbs, Deputy Chancellor
Board Executive Committee
Chair – Professor Jennifer Westacott AO, Chancellor
University Infrastructure Committee
Chair – Mr Lee Pinder, Pro Chancellor
Finance and Investment Committee
Chair – Ms Kerry Stubbs, Deputy Chancellor
People and Culture Committee
Chair - Ms Holly Kramer, Pro Chancellor
Foundation Council
Chair – Dr Peter Brennan AM