QUT Pathways to Politics for Women

From 1994-1996 Mary was the Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister with responsibility for Local Government. Mary was awarded her PhD in 2008 for work on gender and the Australian Parliament, where she explored the way in which the Australian parliament is gendered as male but much of its processes and practices remain hidden.

Teresa Gambaro has an extensive career portfolio across both the private and public sectors. Her consulting services are sought after by corporate boards, private corporations, non-Government organisations, entrepreneur start-ups and community groups. In her nearly two-decade career as Federal Member of Parliament she's worked with Governments across Europe, Asia and the Pacific. Teresa brings to the table senior level network and business relationships within both Federal and State Governments, the International and Australian business community and key industry associations.

Linda Lavarch is a former Australian politician and solicitor. She was a Labor Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland from 1997-2009. In 2005 Linda was appointed Queensland's Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, the first woman Attorney-General in Queensland. Prior to being appointed Attorney-General, she held the position of parliamentary secretary to the Minister for Energy and Aboriginal and Minister for Torres Strait Islander Policy. Retiring from state politics in 2009, Linda became involved in medical research and the not-for-profit sector, chairing the Not-For-Profit Sector Reform Council.

Sarah brings fifteen years of leadership experience in the corporate and not-for-profit sectors, focused on social innovation and investment. Sarah was previously Consulting Director at PwC Australia and GM at Opportunity Child. Alongside her work for Trawalla Foundation, Sarah consults to a range of campaigns and social sector organisations. Current advisory board roles include People Measures, Reach Enterprises and SVA's Diversified Impact Fund.

Professor Xavier has more than 25 years’ experience in the tertiary sector including serving as Executive Dean, QUT Business School. Her doctoral studies were in crisis management. She has received state and national awards for her work in public relations practice and research and has published in national and international journals. Robina has sat on a number of government advisory groups, is a former National President of the peak industry body, the Public Relations Institute of Australia, and is a former chair of the industry’s National Education Committee which oversees accreditation of Australian university programs.

Professor Vicky Browning leads QUT's client award and professional development programs and the corporate programs offered by QUTeX. She is a psychologist and executive coach and has taught leadership and organisational behaviour in the MBA and client programs at QUT, University of Otago and the Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town. Vicky is responsible for the women in business initiatives for QUT Business School including the UN Women sponsorship, and she chaired the Equity Committee from 2015-2017.

A graduate of QUT’s inaugural Pathways to Politics Program for Women in 2020, Sally Dillon ran for election in the Brisbane ward of Coorparoo in the local government elections the same year. Currently working in Corporate Communications in QUT’s Chancellery Division, Sally brings to the committee three decades of media, social media and marketing experience, as well as her background in community organising and outreach. Sally also writes as a freelance journalist for The Guardian, specialising in stories about gender equity and representation, environmental issues, community and travel.