To that role she brings more than 30 years’ experience in government in Australia, including as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Department of Health and Community Services and the CEO of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. She has a deep and practical understanding of the health system, its policy levers and the practical realities of managing change. She also brings a detailed understanding of government policy and budget parameters; having worked in the Australian Department of Finance, ACT Treasury and ACT Chief Minister’s office.
Before joining Nous in 2012 Penny was the CEO of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, an agency within the Australian health portfolio. She chaired the ACT’s Children and Young Person’s Death Review Committee for three years and was a long-term director on the board of Northside Community Services in Canberra.
Penny maintains strong connections with New Zealand, where she grew up. She has an Honours degree in New Zealand history from Massey University and a PhD in Tongan history from the Australian National University.
Penny is a keen bush walker (a tramper in New Zealand terms) and finds time to walk in many and varied places.
