Kathryn Fagg facts for kids

Kathryn Joy Fagg, born in July 1961, is an Australian chemical engineer and a leader who serves on company boards. From October 2021 to March 2025, she was the chair of the CSIRO, Australia's national science agency.

Early Life and Education

Kathryn Joy Fagg was born in July 1961 in a regional area of Queensland, Australia.

She studied at the University of Queensland (UQ) and graduated in 1982 with a degree in chemical engineering. She was one of only six women in her class of 200 students.

After working for a while as a petroleum engineer, Kathryn decided to study more about how organizations work. She earned a master's degree in Organizational Behaviour from the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

Kathryn Fagg's Career Journey

After finishing her first degree, Kathryn Fagg started her career as a petroleum engineer at Esso Australia. From 1983 to 1989, she worked in oil and gas fields located in the Bass Strait.

After her advanced studies, she moved into helping companies improve their business. She worked as a consultant for McKinsey & Company. Later, she joined the ANZ Bank, where she became a general manager for retail banking in New Zealand. She also managed banking products for the entire group.

Kathryn then took on important leadership roles at BHP/BlueScope Steel. She was the President of Australian Building and Logistics Solutions. She also served as President Asia, based in Singapore. After that, she worked at Linfox from 2009 to 2011. There, she was president and a non-executive director for companies that make everyday products.

Board Roles and Leadership

After her time at Linfox, Kathryn Fagg focused on being a non-executive director. This means she joined the boards of companies to help guide them, but she wasn't involved in the day-to-day operations.

She was a non-executive director on the board of the Reserve Bank of Australia from 2013 until May 2018. During this time, she also led the Audit Committee. She served on the board of Boral from August 2014 to 2016. She was also a director for Incitec Pivot and Djerriwarrh Investments.

On December 16, 2019, Kathryn Fagg became a director of the National Australia Bank, a position she still holds.

In October 2021, she was chosen to be the chair of the CSIRO, Australia's main science agency. She took over from David Thodey. Her five-year term ended in March 2025, and Ming Long became the new chair.

Community and Other Activities

Kathryn Fagg has been very active in groups outside of her corporate work.

In 2014, she was involved with Chief Executive Women (CEW). This group supports women in leadership. She led the Thought Leadership Committee and was part of the Scholarship Committee. She was elected president of CEW in November 2016 and served a two-year term until 2018.

She was also the chair of the Melbourne Recital Centre from 2014 until at least 2016. In 2016, she chaired Breast Cancer Network Australia. She has also been a member of World Vision's Business Advisory Council and the chair of Parks Victoria.

Kathryn Fagg has also led the Industry and Innovation Forum for the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering.

As of July 2025, Kathryn Fagg is the chair of Watertrust Australia, which is a registered charity.

Awards and Recognition

Kathryn Fagg has received many awards for her achievements:

• She was named one of Australia's Top 100 Most Influential Engineers.
• She was also recognized as one of Australia's 25 Most Influential Female Engineers.
• Before 2016, she received an Honorary Doctor of Business from UNSW.
• In 2013, she received the first Vice-Chancellor's Alumni Excellence Award from the University of Queensland.
• Also in 2013, she became a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering.
• In 2017, she was awarded the Ada Lovelace Medal for Outstanding Woman Engineer.
• In 2019, she received the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her "distinguished service to business and finance, to the central banking, logistics and manufacturing sectors, and to women."
• In 2025, she was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for her "eminent service to business governance, to the banking, finance and investment industry, to public administration, to the not-for-profit sector, and to women."

Personal Life

Kathryn Fagg is married to Kevin Altermatt, who is a strategy management consultant. They have at least one son named Jack. In 2021, they were living in South Yarra, Melbourne.