WATTLE Webinar Series 2026:
Inside University Governance – Conversations with Australian Chancellors
We are pleased to announce the 2026 WATTLE Webinar Series: Inside University Governance – Conversations with Australian Chancellors.
This series will compromise of three webinars, featuring in‑conversation sessions with university chancellors about governance, leadership, and the realities of the role.
It aims to improve understanding of how governance operates in Australian universities, make senior governance leadership more visible and relatable, provide insight into the challenges currently facing universities, and share personal leadership journeys and lessons learned.
Join us on Tuesday, 19 May, for the first webinar in the series – An insider’s view on governance in Australian universities: In conversation with Ann Sherry AO, Chancellor, Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
The session will be expertly facilitated by Emeritus Professor Judyth Sachs, Principal, Judyth Sachs Consulting.
EVENT AND REGISTRATION DETAILS:
These webinars are aimed at WATTLE alumnae, but we encourage you to share the details and invite other colleagues from your universities who may be interested.
TOPIC: An insider’s view on governance in Australian universities: In conversation with Ann Sherry AO
DATE: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
TIME: 2:00PM – 3:00PM AEST
VIA: Microsoft Teams
BOOKING LINK: WATTLE webinar: In conversation with Ann Sherry AO Tickets | TryBooking Australia
The Microsoft Teams webinar link will be sent to you upon booking confirmation.
Speaker:
Ann Sherry AO, Chancellor, Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
Ann Sherry AO is one of Australia’s leading business executives with a career that spans Government, Banking and Cruise Tourism.
Ms Sherry is a visionary leader with a life-long commitment to empowering others and creating lasting social change. She is an active philanthropist with a passion for improving opportunities and removing barriers for women in STEM and sport, and supporting opportunities for Indigenous Australians.
Ms Sherry is the Chancellor of Queensland University of Technology. She is the Chair of UNICEF Australia, Queensland Airports Limited, Super Members Council of Australia, Circa Contemporary Circus, and the Climate Leaders Coalition. She is also a Non-executive Director of National Australia Bank and a Member of Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.
Ms Sherry has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland, majoring in Economics and Politics, and a Graduate Diploma in Industrial Relations from Queensland University of Technology.
Widely recognised for her eminent service to business, Ms Sherry has been awarded Honorary Doctorates from the University of Sydney, the University of Queensland, Macquarie University and the University of New South Wales.
Beginning her working life as a Radiographer, Ms Sherry became First Assistant Secretary of the Office of the Status of Women in Canberra before moving to the banking sector initially in HR roles, then in CEO roles with Westpac NZ and the Bank of Melbourne. Ms Sherry was most recently with Carnival Australia as CEO, Chair and later Adviser.
The Australian Government awarded Ms Sherry the Centenary Medal in 2001 and in 2004 she was awarded an Order of Australia. In 2015 Ms Sherry was named as the overall winner of the Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence Award.
Facilitator:
Emeritus Professor Judyth Sachs, Principal, Judyth Sachs Consulting
Emeritus Professor Judyth Sachs has had a career as an educator and change agent.
She currently works as Chief Academic Officer at Studiosity and is Director of Judyth Sachs Consulting. She served as Deputy Vice Chancellor, Provost at Macquarie University from December 2006 to March 2014 and Interim DVC (academic) at the University of Canberra. She held various positions at the University of Sydney, Griffith University and The University of Queensland. From June 2003 to December 2006, she was Pro-Vice Chancellor (Learning and Teaching), Chair of the Academic Board (2001-June 2003) and Professor of Education (1996-2006) at the University of Sydney.
She holds a BA and a PhD from the University of Queensland and an MA from Western Michigan University. She has served on various boards and Committees at the State and Commonwealth level.
In recognition of her academic research in 2001 she was appointed as a Special University Professor in the School of Education at The University of Nottingham. She was made a fellow of the Australian College of Education in 1997 for her contribution to education and a Fellow of the Australian Council of Education Leaders in 2007. She is known nationally and internationally for her work on teacher professionalism, teacher professional development and women and leadership.