Catherine is a lawyer and public sector leader with a demonstrated commitment to human rights, integrity and making a positive contribution to delivering public value. Catherine has been leading teams across the Victorian public service for 15 years and is currently the Director of Police Policy and Strategy at the Department of Justice and Community Safety. In this role, Catherine and her team provide direct support to the Minister for Police, lead the development of legislative and regulatory reform relevant to the police portfolio, and lead a myriad of projects and working groups with key stakeholders to bring about meaningful change. A highlight so far has been contributing to relevant departmental and Ministerial responses to the Yoorrook Truth and Justice Commission.

Prior to this role, Catherine led the Human Rights legal practice at the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office for over a decade, where they provided advice to the Attorney-General and departmental clients about obligations, risks and developments in relation to complex human rights and other public law issues. A highlight in that role was providing advice to government on the human rights compatibility of public health directions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Catherine holds a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) and Bachelor of Laws, from the University of Melbourne. In 2022, Catherine completed their Executive Master of Public Administration through the Australian and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) and was awarded the student prize for two subjects (Managing Public Sector Organisations and Leading Public Sector Change). In 2023, Catherine presented at an ANZSOG ‘Smart Collaboration’ Masterclass as well as other panel discussions including the Victorian Women Lawyers ‘Tough Conversations’ series and a ‘Breaking the Bias’ session at the 9th Women in Emergency Services, Enforcement & Defence Leadership Summit.

It is with enthusiasm and gratitude that Catherine joins the ANZSOG Ambassador Program and the Chapter!

Catherine is the Alumni Ambassador and one of the founding committee members of ANZSOG’s VIC Alumni Chapter.

• To find out more about the Alumni Ambassador program, click here. 
• To find out more about the Alumni Jurisdictional Chapters, click here.