Board Members

Official Members

Professor Jennifer Westacott AO
Chancellor

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.

Professor Westacott's full biography is in the Chancellor's section of our site.

Professor Barney Glover AO
Vice-Chancellor

Professor Barney Glover is the Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University. He commenced in this role on 1 January 2014.

Professor Glover is an accomplished academic leader and experienced Vice-Chancellor. Previously Vice-Chancellor at Charles Darwin University from 2009 to 2013, he has a long record of success in university management and leadership, particularly in research, intellectual property management and major capital development projects.

Professor Glover also has significant business leadership credentials through having served on the boards of a range of corporate organisations and several state and national centres covering areas such as health and medical research, energy, mineral exploration and processing and telecommunications.

Professor Glover's full biography is in the Vice-Chancellor's section of our site.

Professor Robert Mailhammer
Chair of Academic Senate

Robert Mailhammer is Professor of Linguistics in the School of Humanities and Communications Arts and a member of The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development. He is the current Chair of Academic Senate. Other leadership and governance roles Robert has held include Chair of the Professoriate Leadership Group (June 2020-June 2022), Director of Academic Program Interpreting and Translation, Languages, Linguistics and TESOL (2021) and Associate Dean, Research in the School of Humanities and Communication Arts (2019-2021).

Robert is Treasurer of the Australian Linguistic Society and Area/Co-Editor of Linguistics Vanguard and Northwestern Language Evolution. He is the author of four research monographs and over 50 peer reviewed research publications in high-quality journals and with prestigious publishers. Robert’s research interest focus on language variation and change as well as on language documentation. He is an internationally recognized expert on the history of the Germanic and Australian Indigenous language. Robert has documented languages in Northwestern Arnhem Land, NT for over 15 years, engaging successfully with local communities and partner organisations.

Appointed Members - Ministerial

Mr Simon Hickey

(to 31 December 2025)

Simon Hickey is the Chief Executive Officer of Western Sydney Airport and is leading the team building one of Australia’s most significant infrastructure projects, Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.

He has extensive experience spanning more than 30 years across aviation, construction and retail, both in Australia and globally. As chief executive of Qantas International and Freight, he led the return to profitability of the nation’s flagship carrier, establishing new network alliances, improving efficiency and increasing customer advocacy. His leadership transformed Qantas’ loyalty program from its origins of 20 people in direct marketing to a separate, independent business that is now valued at over $3 billion.

His career has taken him to London and New York as Divisional CFO for Lendlease, globalising the construction arm of the company. During his time in New York, Mr Hickey’s leadership ensured the safety of his team during the September 11 terrorist attacks, before putting himself on the ground with them during the rescue operation and site recovery.

Mr Hickey has been a longstanding board member of the Children’s Hospital Foundation. As the current Deputy Chair, he is inspired to make a difference to the lives of children, their families and those who care for them.

Having grown up in Sydney, Mr Hickey studied commerce at the University of NSW before embarking on his career. He sees the Airport’s unique opportunity to drive meaningful socioeconomic change across Western Sydney as his community legacy.

Appointed Members - Board

Ms Elizabeth Dibbs
Deputy Chancellor

(to 31 December 2025)

Liz Dibbs is a non-executive director in the government and for purpose sectors. She is the Western City District Commissioner at the Greater Sydney Commission, Chair of United Way Australia, a Governor of the Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology and a member of its Audit & Risk Committee.

Liz was a partner and General Counsel of PwC and previously worked with major law firms Mallesons Stephen Jaques (Sydney) and Linklaters & Paines (London). She was the President of YWCA NSW from 2007-2011 and a director of YWCA Australia from 2009-2013. Liz has also previously served as a Council Member of Chief Executive Women and Chair of its Scholarship Committee.

Liz holds a Bachelor of Arts and Law (University Medal) from the University of Sydney and a Master of Laws (Hons 1) from Cambridge University.

Ms Kerry Stubbs
Deputy Chancellor

(to 31 December 2024)

Kerry Stubbs has significant leadership experience and expertise in the human capital field, including her roles as CEO and Managing Director of Northcott and as the Executive Director of St Vincent’s Hospital.

She has extensive human resources experience and expertise, having worked both as a consultant and a senior practitioner in a variety of human resources roles, culminating in her appointment as the first Corporate Human Resources Manager of Sydney Water. She has also held senior operation roles in the water industry.

Kerry is appointed to a number of government and not for profit Boards and Committees, including Chair of Northcott Innovation, Director of Healthy North Coast Ltd, Director of the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities Ltd, and member of the NSW Domestic and Family Violence and Sexual Assault Council. She has worked as an academic at both Sydney University and the University of Technology. She has been appointed to the College of Adjuncts at Western Sydney University, and has recently been reappointed as a member of the Consumer Advisory Committee of the Digital Health Authority.  She has also been appointed to the Disability and Health Sector Consultation Committee, chaired jointly by the Department of Health and DSS.

Kerry has undergraduate and postgraduate honours degrees in Government and Public Administration, and has undertaken study at both Harvard and Stanford Graduate schools of business. She is particularly interested in using human centred design thinking to foster innovation and better codesign of services and systems for the people who use them, and in particular disadvantaged and minority communities. In 2015 she was voted among the top 25 Australians in Pro Bono Australia’s Impact List and in 2007 was the NSW Telstra Businesswoman of the Year in the Community and Government Sector.

Dr Linda O'Brien AM
Pro-Chancellor

(to 31 December 2025)

Dr Linda O’Brien AM is a retired Principal, School Leadership for the NSW Department of Education. She was the Principal of Granville Boys High School, a comprehensive Boys school that serves the socially and linguistically diverse community of Granville/Auburn and Guilford, 2008 -2019 and the Deputy Principal; Head Teacher English at Punchbowl Boys High School, from 2002 to 2008. She has taught in high schools, primary schools and TAFE in NSW and in Queensland. She has served as Chairperson for the School for Life Foundation, Deputy Chairperson of the Sydney Peace Foundation, Founder and Chairperson of the Molly McDonnell Foundation (2005-2009), and the Founder and Chairperson of the Bali International School.

Dr O’Brien is an alumnus of Western Sydney University, having completed a Doctor of Education in 2017. She also holds a Master of Arts from Sydney University (1993) and a Bachelor of Arts from Macquarie University (1981). Dr O’Brien was granted a Member of the Order of Australia in 2013 for Innovation in secondary education and services to the community.

Mr Lee Pinder
Pro-Chancellor

(to 31 December 2024)

Lee Pinder is a business and property expert with more than 30 years’ experience in property funds management, property investment portfolio management, corporate real estate, corporate acquisitions and development management.

He is Principal and Director of independent professional consultancy, Tekable Advisory, and services a diversity of SME and larger corporate clients within the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. He is an engaged strategist, an established leader and implementer with an outcomes focus.

Lee held long term investment management roles within Schroders PLC and leadership roles in Jones Lang LaSalle (then Wootton). A feature of his career is a successful record in substantially increasing property investment returns and fund under management for listed, wholesale and private client entities within the retail, commercial and industrial property investment sectors. He has an extended market knowledge in the seniors living, health, education and infrastructure sectors.

Corporate governance experience has been developed by Lee in directorship roles within both organisations and property investment vehicles and as a board level consultant. He is an effective risk manager and financial evaluator.

Having a developed management versatility, Lee is a clarifying resource, a critical thinker and an enabler to organisations he advises in business strategy, change, governance, real estate and financial management.

Mr Joseph Carrozzi AM

(to 13 June 2024)

Joseph Carrozzi is a Strategic Business Advisor and Board Member, including as founder of CarrozziCo.com Pty Limited.  Joseph recently stepped down as Managing Partner, Sydney at PwC Australia, the largest professional services firm in Australia. He has held a number of senior leadership roles as a partner in the professional services sector for over 20 years. His experience as an advisor covers both private and public sector clients in a range of areas, including, taxation, property & infrastructure and health and medical research.  He is committed to meaningful engagement in the community and currently holds a number of board roles, including Chair of the Centenary Institute for Medical Research; Chair of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, Deputy Chair of the New South Institute of Sport and Board member of Football Australia.

Mr Carrozzi holds a Bachelor of Commerce & Bachelor of Laws from UNSW, is admitted as a barrister at law in NSW, is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Mr James Christian PSM

(to 31 December 2025)

James is a proud First Nations Australian (Wiradjuri - NSW). Prior to being appointed to the role of Chief Operating Officer for Generation One at the Minderoo Foundation he was the CEO of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Australia’s largest Aboriginal member-based organisation.

James is passionate about education, jobs, and the opportunity for economic independence and prosperity for First Nation Australians. In 2011, he was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding service in improving opportunities for economic participation and employment of Indigenous people.

James has devoted his career to working for improved life outcomes for First Nations peoples, those who are homeless or are at risk of homelessness, people with a Disability and older Australians. James believes that people who are disadvantaged must have a seat at the table when decisions are being made about them.

Dr Amanda Larkin

(to 3 August 2026)

Amanda Larkin leads more than 15,000 staff at the South Western Sydney Local Health District as the Chief Executive. As part of her role, Amanda provides strategic leadership and sound governance to achieve safe, equitable and quality health care for the growing and diverse population of south western Sydney, stretching from Bowral to Bankstown.

Amanda was appointed as Chief Executive in 2011 after working as the General Manager of Camden and Campbelltown Hospitals and the Queen Victoria Memorial Home.

Holding a Bachelor of Social Work and Associate Diploma in Environmental Service, Amanda has more than 30 years of experience in health service management.

In 2020, Amanda was recognised with an Honorary Doctorate from the University of NSW for her outstanding contribution to health care in south western Sydney.

In 2021, Amanda was recognised with an Honorary Doctorate from Western Sydney University for her significant and sustained contribution to the University and to the western Sydney region.

She serves as a Board Member of the Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, South Western Sydney Primary Health Network and Health Infrastructure and is the Chair of the Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise (SPHERE).

Ms Georgia Lee

(to 31 December 2026)

Georgia Lee is an accomplished and innovative Senior Business leader with 25 years experience in highly successful companies across Telecommunications, Cloud Solutions, Wireless Applications, Mobility, Digital, Media, and Finance sectors. She is currently the General Manager of Sales and Service Operations for Australia Post, and has a proven track record in establishing, designing and implementing strategy and programs for multiple channels across retail, online, direct sales and call centres. She has an established commercial and business proficiency with strong management, communication and negotiation skills. Georgia is a team player with solid interpersonal expertise.

Throughout Georgia’s career she has played key roles in leading, shaping and defining business propositions with large scale and complex dynamics and delivering through change management and business transformation. Inspired, creative, analytical and energetic when faced with challenges, Georgia is very knowledgeable and passionate about driving take-up of new technologies.

Ms Natalia Centellas (née Vukolova)

Graduate Member (to 31 December 2024)

Natalia Centellas (née Vukolova) has extensive leadership experience and knowledge in the spheres of healthcare, specialist education, health technology assessment and funding, policy, government relations and organisational development. She is passionate about good governance, leveraging talented people and technologies to transform organisations, and sound financial stewardship.

Natalia is the Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Medical Association- a peak professional body for doctors. The AMA promotes and protects the professional interests of doctors and the healthcare needs of patients and communities. Natalia previously led the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists as the Chief Executive Officer for nearly eight years. The College is a peak bi-national association responsible for educational and professional standards of specialist doctors in medical imaging and cancer care. Natalia held Board positions with ANTaR NSW and ATN, both organisations working to reduce racism in Australia. She has undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in management and social development from WSU and UNSW, and leadership training from IMD (Switzerland).

As an immigrant Australian and a former international student at WSU, Natalia believes in the University’s multifaceted role in enhancing the social fabric of Western Sydney and providing educational opportunities for Indigenous, migrant and first-in-family students.

Elected Members

Associate Professor Alison Downham Moore

Academic Staff Member (to 31 December 2025)

Alison Downham Moore FRHistS, SFHEA, GIA(affiliated) is a historian of medicine, gender and sexuality at Western Sydney University, Associate Dean of Research in the School of Humanities & Communication Arts, a core member of the Translational Health Institute, a member of the Sexualities and Genders Research Group, of the National Tertiary Education Union, and of the Professoriate Leadership Group. She was previously a School Disability Coordinator, and Convenor of the History, International Relations and Politics group. She is author of 3 books, most recently, The French Invention of Menopause and the Medicalisation of Women's Ageing: A History (Oxford University Press, 2022), and of over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.

Externally, she is an alumni research fellow of both the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Foundation (European Union) and of the Hanse Wissenschaftskolleg , Germany, and is Managing Editor of Lilith: A Feminist History Journal, published by ANU Press. She holds a Senior Teaching Fellowship of AdvanceHE (UK), and is an international peer-reviewer of online teaching design with Quality Matters (USA).

In addition to her PhD in History and BA Honours Class 1 (with medal) in History and European Studies (University of Sydney), she has studied biomedical sciences (University of New England) and holds qualifications in Tertiary Education Management (University of Melbourne), Governance for Not-for-Profits (Governance Institute of Australia), Business Administration and Management (London School of Economics and Political Science), and Online Teaching Design (Quality Matters).

Mr Leslie Cowles

Professional Staff Member (to 31 December 2025)

Leslie has been a Professional Staff member at Western since 2003 and has held roles in Higher Degree Research Administration, a range of Admissions, Enrolments and Student Finance roles and is currently in Student Systems supporting the Banner project. His longest role at Western involved process improvement and application of the HESA legislation in Student Administration, punctuated by a range of management and project secondments. Prior to coming to Western he worked in the Job Network and Centrelink in Liverpool, Blacktown and Penrith.  At Centrelink his focus was on Austudy, Abstudy and the 1998 implementation of Youth Allowance and in the Job Network helping the long-term unemployed of Western Sydney back to work. Throughout, he gained an acute appreciation of the difference Western Sydney University can and does make to the people of our region.

Leslie is a regular community volunteer, including Parkrun, and has held elected roles in his local Anglican church since 2007, including being a warden since 2010. He has been on the WSU branch committee of the National Tertiary Education Union for much of his time at Western and was also on the NTEU bargaining team for two of the last three rounds of Enterprise Bargaining. He is a member of the Association for Tertiary Education Management and holds a Master of Educational Administration (Higher Education) (UNE 2010) where his final paper was on the Student Services and Amenities Fee.

On personal note Leslie is married and has two adult daughters, one a recent Western graduate.

Ms Payal Shah

Postgraduate Student Member (to 30 June 2025)

Payal Shah was born and raised in Kenya and moved to Sydney, Australia to pursue higher education. She is currently studying a Master of Research for entry into a PhD. Her research focus is on music therapy. Previously, Payal has completed a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology from Western Sydney University, a Masters in Special Education from Macquarie University, and a Masters in Applied Linguistics and TESOL from UTS.

Payal serves as a postgraduate member of Academic Senate and is on the Vice-Chancellor’s International Student Advisory Committee. She recently started her role as a Senior Facilitator with English Conversation Groups (ECG) and as a Western Success Advisor. Payal enjoys being involved with the student community at university and is also the President of the WSU Research Society. Throughout her degrees, she volunteered with students as a buddy, a mentor, and a peer advisor. These experiences enabled her to understand the needs and wants of students better.

Volunteering and community engagement are a big part of Payal's life, and she has recently been nominated to receive the NSW Volunteering Certificate 2023 in recognition of her contributions. She has also received the following awards: WSU English Conversation Groups Facilitator Award for 'Outstanding Facilitator' Autumn 2023 and the WSU Lead Engage Aspire Develop (LEAD) - 'Most Engaged Student across the University' Award 2022. In her free time, she serves as an Editor and Writer for a variety of magazines that focus on the human experiences of spiritual science.

Mr Aymen Tabikh

Undergraduate Student Member (to 31 December 2025)

Aymen Tabikh, a dedicated Law (LLB) student at Western Sydney University, is profoundly committed to his academic pursuits and community involvement. Growing up in the Canterbury-Bankstown area, Aymen's journey in legal education is deeply rooted in his desire to contribute meaningfully to the academic and social landscape of Western Sydney. His decision to study at Western Sydney University reflects his commitment to advancing a region he calls home.

Beyond the university's halls, Aymen's story unfolds in the rich tapestry of community life. His involvement in volunteering and his dedication to charities and not-for-profits are not mere activities but reflections of a deep-seated belief in the power of giving back testaments to his understanding that education and community are intrinsically linked.

Aymen Tabikh is more than a student; he is a thinker, a leader, and a community member who views his academic journey as a path to greater understanding and impact. His narrative is one of continuous exploration, where every lecture, every volunteer hour, and every discussion is a step towards a deeper understanding of how we, as a society, can navigate the complex interplay of law, ethics, and humanity. He is not just preparing for a career in law but is on a quest to understand how the legal framework can serve as a tool for change in the community and beyond. His presence on the Board of Trustees at Western Sydney University is a testament to his commitment to this journey. This journey is as much about personal growth as it is about societal contribution.

Contact

For more information, please contact Sophie Buck