Episode 41: Jennifer Westacott AO, Former Chief Exec. of the Business Council of Australia, Non-Exec. Director of Wesfarmers, Chair of Future Generation Global & Non Exec. Director of ATCO Australia
Our special guest for this Ep is Jennifer Westacott AO and what a conversation it is – an inspiring story of one of Australia’s leading women. After growing up in public housing in a troubled family environment, Jennifer became (amongst lots more) Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia for some 12 years, Non-Exec Director of Wesfarmers, Chair of Future Generation Global, the first female Chancellor of Western Sydney University, Board Member of energy company ATCO and Co-Patron of Pride in Diversity. Over her journey Jennifer provides her first hand insights into the housing shortage in Australia, her views on Corporate Australia, meeting Donald Trump and when he was President and other international leaders, the role of the Private Sector and her views on WA as an economic power house of Australia including her take on policies making mining difficult. She discusses energy supply and her role with ATCO. She also provides her highly qualified perspective on Tertiary education and where it goes next, and the building of the new airport and city in Western Sydney (which she Chairs) which is a game changer for Australia. Jennifer was awarded a Centenary Medal and an Order of Australia. This really is an inspiring story with a national and WA perspective.