Public sector and philanthropic leader Kate Driver is taking the reins as CEO of IPAA ACT on 5 February 2024, with the goal to encourage creative leadership and collaboration across Australia’s public sector.

On behalf of the board, IPAA ACT President and Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department, Katherine Jones PSM is pleased to announce the appointment of Kate Driver as the next CEO of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (ACT).

“As an experienced leader in the Australian Public Service and philanthropic sector, Ms Driver brings a wealth of practical experience in public service, as IPAA ACT focuses on new challenges for its membership, and the public sector in Australia more broadly,” Ms Jones says.

“Working at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet throughout 2023 to help establish the foundational year of the APS Reform Agenda, Ms Driver brings deep experience in public sector culture and reform.”

Ms Driver also brings leadership experience in public policy, programs and regulation, corporate services, museums and educational institutions, as well as volunteer leadership and board work in the philanthropic sector.

She describes herself as the quintessential ‘accidental public servant’. Taking a 6-month contract in the Australian Public Service after leaving legal practice, she found herself in a career that now spans almost two decades in the public sector, including serving as the Deputy Director and General Manager of Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre. The values of the public sector and its connection to the everyday of Australia’s communities spoke to her values and desire to make a positive impact in the world.

“I look forward to bringing my practical experience and passion to this role as IPAA ACT continues to be a key institutional partner to public sector staff and their leadership, academic partners, and the Australian businesses and communities they serve,” Ms Driver says.

The IPAA ACT Board has welcomed Ms Driver’s appointment.

“On top of her extensive leadership experience and expertise in the private, public and philanthropic sectors, Ms Driver’s deep and practical understanding of the concept and practice of public service will support IPAA ACT’s goal of supporting the broader public sector. We welcome Ms Driver’s innovative and creative leadership to IPAA ACT,” Ms Jones says.

ENDS

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For any media enquiries, please contact Azel Lorena, IPAA ACT communications lead via azel.lorena@act.ipaa.org.au.

IPAA is the professional body focused on the promotion of excellence and professionalism in public administration. We are a non-profit and non-partisan organisation that works in partnership with the public sector, the private sector, academia and other institutions, to provide a platform for debate and discussion about improving and striving for excellence in public administration in Australia.