About Diane

Diane Smith-Gander AO is well known as a professional company director with an accomplished business career 40 years in the making.  Diane had a successful executive career working at Westpac twice finishing up in the C-suite – and was a partner at McKinsey & Company in the USA.

She is well known as one of Australia’s foremost advocates and commentators on gender equity and is committed to helping individuals and organisations reach their full potential.

She now pursues a portfolio career and has built a vibrant portfolio of directorships currently chairing Zip Co Limited and HBF Health Limited, and as a non-executive director of listed mining services company Perenti. Diane sat on the Wesfarmers board for more than 11 years, chaired Broadspectrum (initially Transfield Services) during a tumultuous time and had an eventful six years at AGL Energy. She was the float Chairman for DDH1 Limited and stewarded the company through the acquisition of Swick Mining Services before the company combined with Perenti.

Diane is a Past President of Chief Executive Women – Australia’s pre-eminent women’s advocacy group and is now National Chair of CEDA – the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia, a member based thinktank.  A seasoned media performer Diane has appeared on The Drum, Q&A, The Project, Flashpoint, SkyNews and as a special interest commentator on ABC Budget Night coverage.

Diane was educated at Melville Senior High School, UWA and U Sydney.  She was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Economics by UWA in 2015 and is Chair of the Advisory Board of the Business School there.

A state representative basketballer Diane chaired Basketball Australia, the Australian Sports Drug Agency and is now independent chair of the WADA Nominations Committee.

Diane became an Officer in the Order of Australia in 2019 for services to business, women’s engagement in executive roles, gender equality and the community.  She won the Business Award in the WA Day Western Australian of the Year awards in 2018.  She is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Australian Institute of Management and Governance Institute of Australia (GIA).  She received the GIA Presidents’ Award for outstanding service in 2017 and acts as a Brand Ambassador for the GIA.