Wendy McCarthy

Wendy McCarthy has broken many glass ceilings on her professional journey from the classroom to the boardroom. She has assumed major leadership roles nationally and internationally and has been an active change agent in women's health, education, broadcasting, conservation heritage, the arts and in both the public and private sectors.
She graduated from university in the early 1960's, became a teacher and a parent of three (now adult) children; and worked with community groups and local government on women's issues.

In 1989 she became an Officer of the Order of Australia for her contribution to community affairs, women's affairs and the 1998 Bicentennial celebrations, and in 1996 she received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of South Australia.

Wendy is currently Chancellor of the University of Canberra, Chair of PLAN International Australia, Chair McGrath, Chair of Symphony Australia and Chair of the Advisory Committee of the WHO Centre of Health Development in Kobe, Japan. She is Executive Director of Women's Business, Corporate Good Works and McCarthy Management Pty Ltd, member of the Australian Advertising Standards Board and member of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra Council.

In 1999 she wrote a book on immigrant Australians A Fair Go - Portraits of the Australian Dream. In April 2000 her memoirs Don't Fence Me In were published by Random House.

Wendy has represented Australia internationally in conference on health, broadcasting, media, family planning, business and science technology. In 1995, she was contracted by the office of the Status of Women to run training workshops for the women attending the United Nations Women's Summit in Beijing.

Wendy McCarthy has assumed many major leadership roles in both the public and private sector. She has been an active change agent in women's health, education, broadcasting, conservation and heritage and Australian business. Her senior executive and non-executive positions included:

• CEO, Family Planning Association of Australia (1979-84)


• CEO, National Trust of Australia, NSW (1990-93)


• CEO, Price Brent (commercial legal firm) (1994)


• Chair, National Better Health Program (1989-92)


• Chair, Royal Hospital for Women Foundation (1995-97)


• Chair, Australian Heritage Commission (1995-98)


• Chair, Clean-Up Australia Environment Foundation (1996-98)


• Chair, The Look of the City Committee, Sydney City Council


• Commissioner, NSW Education Commission (1981-83)


• Deputy Chair, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1983-91)


• Director, Star City Pty Ltd (1994-99)


• Director, Sydney Harbour Casino Holdings


• Executive in Residence, International Graduate School of Management, University of South Australia


• General Manager, Australian Bicentennial Authority (1985-89)


• Member, National Women's Advisory Council (1978-81)


• Member, NSW Higher Education Board (1980-83)


• Member, Olympic Urban Design Review Panel


• Member, Olympic Public Art Committee


• Member, North Limited, Environment, Health and Safety Advisory Committee


• President, Chief Executive Women (1995)


• Trustee, Adelaide Festival Centre Trust

Since 1995, when she left line management, she has consulted to major corporations on mentoring, managing change and diversity. In addition to her portfolio of clients she holds the following positions:

• Chancellor, University of Canberra


• Chair, Plan International Australia


• Chair, Advisory Committee WHO Kobe Centre


• Chair, Down to Earth Foundation


• Chair, Symphony Australia


• Chair, McGrath


• Director, Australian Multicultural Foundation


• Executive Director, Corporate Good Works, Women's Business and McCarthy Management Pty Ltd

Client Ovations: Thank you for taking part in the Vision Pursuit Speaker Series "Women Leading the Way" ...Your knowledge, insight and inspirational words of encouragement were certainly well received by the audience and we look forward to working with you again.

Marketing Director, Vision Pursuit Pty Ltd