Kathryn Fagg facts for kids

Kathryn Joy Fagg, born in July 1961, is an Australian chemical engineer and a leader on many company boards. In October 2021, she became the chair of the CSIRO for five years. The CSIRO is Australia's national science agency.

Early Life and Learning

Kathryn Joy Fagg was born in July 1961 in Queensland, Australia.

She studied at the University of Queensland (UQ). In 1982, she earned a degree in chemical engineering. She was one of only six women in a class of 200 students.

After working as a petroleum engineer, Kathryn continued her studies. She earned a master's degree in organisational behaviour from the University of New South Wales (UNSW). This helped her learn about how people work together in companies.

Career Journey

After finishing her first degree, Kathryn Fagg started working as a petroleum engineer. From 1983 to 1989, she worked for Esso Australia. She helped with oil and gas fields in the Bass Strait.

After her master's degree, she moved into management. She worked as a consultant for McKinsey & Company. Later, she joined the ANZ Bank. There, she was a general manager for retail banking in New Zealand. She also managed banking products for the whole group.

Kathryn then took on senior leadership roles at BHP/BlueScope Steel. She was in charge of Australian Building and Logistics Solutions. She also led their Asia operations from Singapore. After that, she worked at Linfox from 2009 to 2011.

Later, Kathryn focused on being a non-executive director. This means she was part of a company's board but not involved in daily operations. She was on the board of the Reserve Bank of Australia from 2013 to 2018. She also served on the board of Boral and Incitec Pivot.

Since December 2019, Kathryn Fagg has been a director at the National Australia Bank.

In October 2021, she was chosen to be the chair of the CSIRO. This is a big role where she helps guide Australia's top science agency. She took over from David Thodey.

Community and Leadership Roles

Kathryn Fagg has been very active outside of her corporate jobs. She was involved with Chief Executive Women (CEW). This group helps women become leaders. She was the president of CEW from 2016 to 2018.

She has also chaired the Melbourne Recital Centre, a place for music performances. In 2016, she chaired Breast Cancer Network Australia, a charity supporting people with breast cancer. She has also been part of World Vision's Business Advisory Council and chaired Parks Victoria.

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

As of April 2024, she is the chair of Watertrust Australia, which is a charity.

Awards and Recognition

Kathryn Fagg has received many awards for her work:

• She was named one of Australia's Top 100 Most Influential Engineers.
• She was also recognised 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.
• In 2013, she became a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering.
• In 2017, she received the Ada Lovelace Medal for Outstanding Woman Engineer.
• In 2019, she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). This honour was for her "distinguished service to business and finance, to the central banking, logistics and manufacturing sectors, and to women."

Personal Life

Kathryn Fagg is married and has at least one son. As of 2016, she and her family lived in Melbourne.