McCarthy, Wendy Elizabeth (1941 - )

Wendy McCarthy is an experienced businesswoman who has assumed many major leadership roles in both the public and private sectors for nearly forty years. Her first experience as a political lobbyist came about when, newly pregnant, she and her husband joined the Childbirth Education Association (CEA) in Sydney, campaigning for (amongst other things) the rights of fathers to be present at the births of their babies. Since then, she has had three children, and been an active change agent in women’s health, education, broadcasting, conservation and heritage and Australian business. Her senior executive and non-executive positions have included: CEO - Family Planning Association of Australia (1979-84); Member - National Women’s Advisory Council (1978-81); Member - Sydney Symphony Orchestra Council and Director - Australian Multicultural Foundation. Currently, she is Chancellor of the University of Canberra, Chair of Plan Australia and a Director of the Plan International Board, Chair of the board of McGrath Estate Agents, Chair of Symphony Australia and Chair of the NSW Health Participation Council. She is also Executive Director of Corporate Good Works and McCarthy Management Pty Ltd. Initially trained to be a teacher, she has become a public speaker of note and has written several books and articles that reflect her broad range of interests.

Wendy’s contribution to Australian life has been recognised in various ways. In 1989 she became an Officer of the Order of Australia for her contribution to community affairs, women’s affairs and the Bicentennial celebrations and in 1996 she received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of South Australia. In April 2003 she was awarded a Centenary of Federation Medal.

• Ryan, Wendy Elizabeth (maiden name)

Career Highlights:

Chancellor–University of Canberra (1996-)

Chair–Plan International Australia (Director since 1996)

Chair–Symphony Australia (2000-)

Chair–McGrath Estate Agents (2000-)

CEO–Family Planning Association of Australia (1979-84)

Member–National Women’s Advisory Council (1978-81)

Commissioner–NSW Education Commission (1981-83)

Member–NSW Higher Education Board (1980-83)

General Manager–Australian Bicentennial Authority (1985-89)

Deputy Chair–Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1983-91)

Chair–National Better Health Program (1989-92)

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

CEO–Price Brent (commercial legal firm) (1994)

President–Chief Executive Women (1995)

Chair–Royal Hospital for Women Foundation (1995-1997)

Chair–Australian Heritage Commission (1995-98)

Chair–Clean-Up Australia Environment Foundation (1996-98)

Director–Star City Pty Ltd (1994-99)

Trustee–Adelaide Festival Centre Trust 1996 -2000

Member–Olympic Urban Design Review Panel and Olympic Public Art Committee

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

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

Member–EPAC Task Force report to Prime Minister on Australia’s child
care needs to the years 2010

Member–Independent Panel on Intractable Waste 1991-92

Chair–Advisory Committee WHO Kobe Centre 1999-2002

Member–Australian Advertising Standards Board

Member–Sydney Symphony Orchestra Council

Member–Australian State of the Environment Advisory Committee

Director–Australian Multicultural Foundation

Executive Director–Corporate Good Works

Executive Director–McCarthy Management Pty Ltd