Lesley Podesta is a former senior public servant, having held key roles leading Victorian government and Commonwealth government teams. She was the First Assistant Secretary with responsibility for leading the response to the Bali bombings, the development of the National Immunisation Strategy, the development of a National Health Incident Room to prevent SARS and Avian influenza transmission, the head of the Office of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Heath, and the head of Ageing & Aged Care.
She moved to the Fred Hollows Foundation ten years ago and led the Global Partnerships team working closely with WHO and global health development agencies to reduce avoidable blindness. She was appointed as CEO of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation in 2016, significantly growing the charity’s impact, finances, profile and support.
Lesley is the Chair of the University of Western Sydney Young & Resilient Centre, a Board member of the Phoenix Centre at Melbourne University, a board member of the Queen Elizabeth Centre, and a member of the board of the Council of The Ageing.
Lesley is a proud Kilfinan Mentee Alumni.