Patricia O'Callaghan
Acting Director-General
Patricia O'Callaghan
Acting Director-General
Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation
Patricia O’Callaghan is an experienced Chief Executive Officer who has held significant senior executive positions over the past 15 years and has a passion for growing companies, communities and bettering the lives of people.
In November 2024, Trish stepped into the role of Acting Director-General for the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation. Prior to this, Trish joined Tourism and Events Queensland as CEO in January 2023, after heading up Destination Gold Coast from February 2021 – December 2022 . Trish also spent nine years with Townsville Enterprise, first as General Manager for Tourism and Events before being promoted to CEO, a position she held for five years.
With extensive experience in strategy development, advocacy, corporate communications, Government, stakeholder and media relations and marketing, Patricia has a proven record of working with communities to convert strategy into tangible outcomes.
Patricia has previously been accepted into the Australian American Young Leadership Dialogue, was named 2018 BOSS Young Executive by the Australian Financial Review and the recipient of the 2014 Australian Institute of Management – Young Manager of the Year Award for Queensland.
SESSIONS
Day 2
9:00
Keynote Panel: Leading with Purpose to Champion Intersectionality and Allyship
How purposeful leadership can foster inclusive cultures, create safe spaces, and drive high performing teams
Navigating intersectionality to strengthen inclusive environments: How to ensure that all voices are heard and valued?
Actionable strategies for promoting diversity and inclusion, discussing how “the business case” currently for DEI isn’t cutting it
Addressing the unique challenges that women in leadership face, including gender bias and systemic barriers
Moderator: Sarah-Jane Peterschlingmann, Director, Autism Queensland; Managing Director, ATech
Kate Gould, CEO | Artistic Director, Brisbane Powerhouse
Patricia O'Callaghan, Acting Director-General, Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation
Sandy Gillies, Chief Executive Officer, Western Queensland PHN; Adjunct Professor, Murtupuni Centre for Rural and Remote Health, James Cook University
Richard Knox, General Manager, Thynne + Macartney