top of page
< Back

Sandy Gillies

Chief Executive Officer; Adjunct Professor, Murtupuni Centre for Rural and Remote Health

Sandy Gillies

Sandy Gillies

She/Her

Chief Executive Officer; Adjunct Professor, Murtupuni Centre for Rural and Remote Health

Western Queensland PHN; James Cook University

Sandy Gillies, a proud Gunggari woman from Winton, is a respected leader in rural and remote health, with a career dedicated to improving health access and outcomes across some of Australia’s most underserved regions. With extensive experience as an Aboriginal Health Worker and Enrolled Nurse, Sandy has consistently advocated for health equity, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Her leadership journey includes senior roles at the Queensland Mental Health Commission and the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council. In 2017, Sandy joined the Western Queensland Primary Health Network (WQPHN) as Executive Manager, where she led efforts to commission mental health and healthy ageing services across almost one million square kilometres.

In 2021, Sandy became the first Indigenous CEO among Australia’s 31 Primary Health Networks. Her leadership was recognised with her appointment as Adjunct Professor at James Cook University in 2020 and to the National Women’s Health Advisory Council in 2023. That same year, she was named an RFDS Ambassador and joined the Australian Centre for Value-Based Health Care Advisory Group, highlighting her dedication to rural and remote health equity.

SESSIONS

Day 2

9:00

CEO 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, CEO, Tourism and Events Queensland


Warwick Agnew, Director-General, Department of Resources


Sandy Gillies, Chief Executive Officer, Western Queensland PHN; Adjunct Professor, Murtupuni Centre for Rural and Remote Health, James Cook University

bottom of page