Quentin Bryce

Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO has led an extraordinary career in Australian public life, distinguished by her pioneering contributions to law, gender equality, and national leadership. She was among the first women admitted to the Queensland bar and the first female lecturer at the University of Queensland’s T.C. Beirne School of Law. Her academic foundation quickly expanded into a broader role in public advocacy, with early appointments such as to the National Women’s Advisory Council setting the stage for her lifelong commitment to advancing women’s rights and representation in leadership.

Over the decades, Dame Quentin held prominent roles at both state and federal levels, including Queensland Director of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner. She led the National Childcare Accreditation Council, supported higher education as Principal of The Women’s College at the University of Sydney, and served as Governor of Queensland. In 2008, she became Australia’s first female Governor-General, focusing her tenure on inclusion, social justice, and Indigenous rights. Her public service has been matched by an enduring engagement with community and charitable causes, reflecting her deep belief in service, dignity, and equality.

As part of the Advisory Panel, Dame Quentin lends invaluable insight shaped by decades of principled leadership and public engagement. Her enduring advocacy for equity and social cohesion enriches the platform’s mission and inspires thoughtful engagement across generations and sectors.