Sandy is an accomplished public-sector leader, with experience leading agencies in the South Australian and Victorian public sector.
Sandy is currently the Chief Executive of the South Australian Department of Human Services, which encompasses the portfolios of disability, family support, family violence, women, ageing, youth and a range of social supports.
Prior to this role, Sandy was Deputy Under Treasurer with the South Australian Department of Treasury and Finance.
During her time in Victoria, she was the inaugural Secretary of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, an agency which includes child protection and women’s policy. Throughout 2020 Sandy led the Victorian COVID-19 response, returning the state to COVID-19 zero.
Sandy was the first woman appointed to lead the South Australian Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources in 2015, delivering on the state’s ambitious Climate Change agenda. She has also held roles at the UK’s Commission for Racial Equality and as Director of the South Australian Office for Women.
In 2012, Sandy won the Telstra Businesswoman of the year ‘Community and Public Sector’ category, and in 2013 she was inducted as an IPAA National Fellow.
Educated at the University of Adelaide, Sandy has degrees in law and the humanities.