The Australian Studies Institute (ANU) is pleased to present

Inspiring Women Reflect

Ms Kathryn Campbell AO CSC and Dr Heather Smith PSM
in conversation with the Hon Ros Kelly AO

The Australian Studies Institute is proud to host the Inspiring Women Reflect series as part of our partnership with the Menzies Australia Institute at King's College, London. The series was created by the Hon Ros Kelly AO as a joint initiative of the Menzies Australia Institute (KCL) and Westpac and aims to empower women in the workplace and beyond. 

For more on the London series, visit the Menzies Australia Institute webpage.

About the Speakers

HON. ROS KELLY AO has worked across the political, private and not for profit sectors. Ros was a member of the Australian Government for 16 years serving as a Minister in a number of portfolios. She was the first woman ALP cabinet minister in the House of Representatives. After leaving politics, Ros worked at the interface between mining and the environment. Ros was Chair of the National Breast Cancer Foundation from 2005 to 2010 and a Director of Thiess from 1998 to 2012. Ros currently serves as an advisor to Women On Boards UK and as a Commissioner of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Chair of the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation. Ros was made an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia in 2004 for services to the environment, mining, women's health and the Australian Parliament.

Ms Kathryn Campbell AO CSC joined the Department of Social Services as Secretary on 18 September 2017.  The department provides social policy advice to the Australian Government. In partnership with other government and non-government organisations, the department ensures the effective development, management and delivery of policies, programs, and services focused on improving the lifetime wellbeing of people and families in Australia. 

Prior to her current appointment, Kathryn was the Secretary of the Department of Human Services from 2011 to 2017.  Kathryn also held Deputy Secretary positions in the Department of Finance (Finance) and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) from 2005 to 2011. 

Dr Heather Smith PSM was appointed Secretary of the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science in September 2017. Heather has 18 years’ experience in the Australian Public Service at senior levels, with responsibility for a number of significant government policies and programs covering economic, foreign affairs and intelligence matters.

Heather has previously served as Secretary of the Department of Communications and the Arts, Deputy Secretary in the Departments of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Foreign Affairs and Trade, and as Deputy Director-General of the Office of National Assessments.

Heather was Australia’s G20 Sherpa in 2014 and was awarded a Public Service Medal in the Queen’s Birthday 2015 Honours for her outstanding public service in this role.

Heather holds a Bachelor of Economics (First Class Honours) from the University of Queensland and a Masters and PhD in Economics from the Australian National University.

Heather is a member of the United States Studies Centre Board of Directors and a member of Chief Executive Women.