This event is for female public sector leaders at a Band 1 level and above only.

Is this event for you? 

Are you looking to be inspired by the stories of the women leading the NSW government’s priorities?

Do you want to learn what it takes to lead significant and impactful programs of work in the sector?

Gain insights into the success stories of prominent female leaders and hear their advice for navigating the complexities of change in the NSW public sector. 

Our panellists will share their career journeys and what drives their passion to take on large programs of work. 

Reyna Matthes, Executive Central, will chat with Rebecca Pinkstone and Kiersten Fishburn to hear about the work they are leading to meet the NSW government's priorities of Housing and Homelessness. The panellists will share with the audience their views and experiences on:
• The power of peer connection and nurturing a strong network
• How they navigate public sector change 
• Why building supportive teams is key to their success
• Key takeaways to make your mark.

This event will provide you with advice on the significance of cultivating peer connections, building a robust professional network, and stepping beyond your comfort zone. 

Sponsor Acknowledgment

This event is made possible through the support of our sponsor, Executive Central.

Speaker

Kiersten Fishburn
Secretary
Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure

Kiersten Fishburn is the Secretary of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. In her role, Kiersten is tackling some of the most pressing issues faces our state including:

• housing affordability, diversity and supply  
• Strategic land use planning and management  
• Crown land and precinct management 
• outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities 
• meaningful engagement with local councils to ensure good performance, integrity and accountability across the local government sector.
• Sustainable property design and development.

Kiersten has worked in the public service for two decades, across multiple portfolios and two tiers of government.

She brings great enthusiasm and energy to her roles. She’s widely ambitious and passionate about delivering thriving environments, communities and helping NSW achieve its full potential.

Kiersten was recently the Secretary of the Department of Planning and Environment, where she managed a diverse portfolio spanning our natural resources and the environment, as well as her current portfolio. Prior to that she was the Deputy Secretary, Cities & Active Transport at Transport for NSW, which focused on ensuring our cities and neighbourhoods are integrated with transport, making places, streets and open spaces functional, beautiful, inclusive and inviting for all to enjoy.

Kiersten was also the CEO of Liverpool City Council, and held leadership roles with Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre and Accessible Arts and City of Sydney.

Rebecca Pinkstone
Chief Executive
Homes NSW

Rebecca Pinkstone has two decades of experience in the housing sector working in government and community housing. She is the inaugural Chief Executive of Homes NSW, a new division within the Department of Communities and Justice.

Homes NSW is responsible for system stewardship across the affordable, social and homelessness sectors to ensure we deliver more homes and better services for our community. Homes NSW also manages 96,000 public housing properties across NSW, providing a safe and secure home for 260,000 people.

Facilitator

Reyna Matthes
Director
Executive Central

Reyna’s mission is to inspire and support people to actualise their full potential. She delivers results for organisational clients through their most valuable resources – people. She achieves this by amplifying leadership impact and invigorating leaders so that they are energised, connected and performing at their very best.

CEO’s, executives and senior managers engage Reyna to assist them and their teams with reflecting on, challenging and changing their leadership practice through tailored individual and group coaching, bespoke training experiences and network development programs.

Reyna helps with identifying leadership strengths and challenges, articulating vision, and committing to strategic, or behavioural change that drives organisations forward. With a particular focus on future focused practice in a supportive environment, and diversity and inclusion, Reyna helps leaders find their voice and influence.

Accessing 30 years of senior executive experience, Reyna has coached more than 2,000 leaders working with clients from 60 nationalities and across a diverse breadth of 70 industries: including ASX 200 companies in Australia and Asia-Pacific in financial and professional services, banking, property, and government. She supports leaders to drive transformational change, with an understanding of the drivers and opportunities in the contemporary business world and public sector context.

Host

Marina van der Walt
Deputy Secretary
Treasury

Marina van der Walt is the Deputy Secretary, Financial Management and Services; she re-joined Treasury in November 2022. In this role, she provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the Public Sector financial reporting, including frameworks and governance, Strategic Balance Sheet Management, including sustainable financing, social impact investment and also lead the Treasury functional Groups, including Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology and Communications.

Prior to this role, she was the Head of Assurance at Infrastructure NSW for 5 years, ensuring there is improved oversight of the state's capital works delivery program and asset management and she was in various roles in NSW Treasury between 2013 and 2017. She is the executive sponsor for initiatives aimed at improving gender equality in the construction sector and improving the culture of the sector. 

She has international experience in the public sector, consulting, and investment banking of more than 23 years.

How to register

If you are a NSW public sector employee, click here to become an Affiliate member free of charge.

Event Details 

Be at your best, for NSW. 
Register now to secure your spot.