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Rosie Southwood
Partnerships - Strategy - Communications - Operations - Collaboration
Professional Background
Rosie Southwood is an empowering and influential leader with extensive experience in delivering effective business transformation in both dynamic and sensitive contexts. Throughout her career, she has honed her skills in developing cross-sectoral partnerships and assembling matrixed teams dedicated to achieving significant business and social impacts. Rosie is recognized as a stakeholder engagement and communications expert, leveraging her abilities to create solutions that are mutually beneficial for all parties involved. Her operational leadership expertise encompasses a comprehensive understanding of commercial strategies, people management, safety protocols, and risk management frameworks.
Having held key leadership positions within notable organizations, Rosie most recently served as the Associate Director of the Strategy and Delivery Unit at NSW Treasury. In this role, she played a pivotal part in strategic decision-making and project delivery that has far-reaching impacts on the operations of the state treasury. Previously, she was instrumental in managing campus and transport operations at Qantas, where her leadership helped streamline efficiencies and enhance operational performance.
Rosie’s transformative impact was also felt in her positions as Senior Manager and Manager of Community, Indigenous and Arts Partnerships at Qantas. During her tenure, she successfully oversaw multiple initiatives that aligned corporate objectives with community engagement, focusing particularly on enhancing the representation and involvement of Indigenous communities in the arts. With a strong commitment to social responsibility, Rosie's prior experience includes serving as a Senior Consultant at Nous Group and managing various projects at flagship organizations like Officeworks and Wesfarmers that emphasized leadership development and community impact.
Her expert knowledge in stakeholder relations is further highlighted by her roles at Reconciliation Australia, where she served as a Reconciliation Action Plan Advisor and Community Relations Project Manager, contributing significantly to initiatives designed to foster understanding and cooperation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Education and Achievements
Rosie holds an impressive educational background that underpins her professional expertise. She achieved her Higher School Certificate with a UAI of 99.55 from North Sydney Girls High School, laying a strong academic foundation for her subsequent studies. Rosie pursued higher education at prestigious institutions, earning a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Development Studies from The Australian National University (ANU) with First Class Honours. This degree equipped her with a critical understanding of socio-economic development issues.
Rosie continued her academic pursuit at the University of Sydney, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) with a focus on Government and International Relations, as well as Aboriginal Studies, achieving an impressive average grade of 82 (Distinction). Her commitment to furthering her knowledge in social impact led her to the University of Melbourne, where she secured an MBA with a Distinction average, specializing in Marketing and Leadership. In addition to this achievement, she participated in a study abroad program at the University of Cape Town, focusing on social entrepreneurship and development economics.
To further refine her skills in social innovation, Rosie completed a Graduate Certificate of Social Impact at AGSM @ UNSW Business School, achieving a Distinction average. This educational endeavor reflects her dedication to driving positive change through social enterprise and highlights her expertise in impact measurement and shared value creation.
Notable Achievements
Throughout her career, Rosie has been recognized for her achievements in fostering collaboration across varied sectors and implementing significant programs aimed at community development and empowerment. Her work has cultivated strong relationships that contribute to sustainable socio-economic benefits for diverse communities.
As Associate Director at NSW Treasury, she was instrumental in advancing key strategic initiatives that aligned with state priorities for improved fiscal governance and stakeholder engagement. Her leadership at Qantas underscored her commitment to corporate social responsibility, particularly in implementing successful community initiatives that championed Indigenous arts and culture.
Moreover, Rosie’s experience as a Reconciliation Action Plan Advisor showcases her contribution to advancing Indigenous rights and creating pathways for meaningful engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Her role involved developing actionable frameworks that guide organizations in fostering reconciliation and cultivating inclusive practices within their operations.
In addition to her extensive experience in consulting and project management, Rosie has consistently contributed her insights to important discussions around social impact, community engagement, and corporate responsibility. Her expertise not only empowers those she works with but also drives forward-thinking approaches in diverse and complex environments, ensuring stakeholder voices are heard and valued.
Achievements
Rosie's broad range of achievements includes notable internships, leadership roles in transformative projects, and collaborations with significant organizations advocating for social change. By championing cross-sector partnerships and engaging with stakeholders, Rosie has cultivated a successful career marked by excellence and impactful leadership.