Leanne Nixon

Background

About Leanne Nixon

I am a senior executive of over 35 years in public service and have held roles up to Deputy Secretary in New South Wales, Northern Territory and Queensland. I have changed practices, outcomes and cultures of whole systems. The scale and scope of my leadership has included: the largest education system in Australia with 2,200 sites, students, and staff; systems that included some of the most remote and disadvantaged communities in Australia. This has included the strategic oversight of the operations and risk of these complex human systems. I have led, supported, and inspired teams to deliver complex reform that has ‘once in a generation’ impact. My career has been built on creating self-adjusting systems through inspiring, supporting and creating the culture and tools for continuous capability development of people. I have demonstrated expertise in delivering major cultural and operational change through complex and large programs on contested issues. I have led the development of evidence-based strategies from concept to broad acceptance and deep implementation in three systems. I have discharged financial accountability for budgets up to $5B, and the accompanying business planning, project management, HR, procurement, and contract management. I create and convey compelling narratives that place customers and partners at the centre of the work including implementing advocacy models. I have interjurisdictional credibility based on recognition of high performance across a range of roles. I have a strong professional moral purpose and am open, transparent, and responsive. I have a record of leadership in addressing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander people, peoples with disability and rural and remote communities. I am particularly recognized for demonstrating resilience and courage in taking accountability for addressing the ‘wicked problems’.