Carmel McGregor is currently an Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra and a private consultant. She was formerly Deputy Secretary Defence People in the Department of Defence until her retirement from the public service. She joined the Department of Defence in March 2012 and led the Pathways to Change Cultural Reform Program including the establishment of the Sexual Misconduct and Prevention Response Office (SEMPRO)
Carmel’s previous position was that of Deputy Australian Public Service Commissioner where she was a member of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Group on Reform of Australian Government Administration (Blueprint). During 2011 Carmel led a review of Pathways for APS Women in Defence.
Prior to joining the Australian Public Service Commission in 2008. Carmel held senior positions in Department of Immigration and Citizenship and Centrelink where she led global organisational client reforms and cultural change programs ..
Carmel was Australia’s representative and Vice Chair of the OECD’s Public Governance Committee from 2008-2012. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, a Fellow of the Australian Human Resources Institute, National Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia, Vice President of the Institute of Public Administration Australia in the ACT, a member of the Australian Institute of Training and Development and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is also a Director of the Australian Human Resources Institute , Director of Common Ground Canberra and from 2013-17 was Director of the ACT/Southern NSW Rugby Board (Brumbies). From 2014-16 she was a Director of the National Committee for UN Women Australia. Carmel Is also a member of the Northern Territory Chief Minister’s Advisory Group on Defence.
In October 2012 Carmel was selected as inaugural Woman of Influence Public Policy in the Financial Review/Westpac 100 Women of Influence. Also in October 2012, Carmel was awarded an ANZSIG Public Service Excellence Award Honorary Adjunct Professorship. Carmel is the recipient of a Public Service Medal in the Australia Day 2013 Honours List and also received recognition by the Institute of Chartered Accountants for Exceptional Leadership.
She has undertaken a series of key performance reviews for several APS departments and agencies – including AFP, Victorian, Western Australian and NSW Governments
Carmel is originally from Queensland and holds an Arts degree with majors in psychology and sociology from the University of Queensland. She is married with two children.
