Catherine Esposito
Annandale,Australia
Summary
PhD-qualified research and policy leader with over 25 years of experience advancing equity, human rights, and social justice through strategic research, cross-sector collaboration, and inclusive system reform. Recognized for leading high-impact research portfolios across government and international development sectors, translating complex evidence into policy, workforce capability, and service innovation. Proven leadership in co-design with diverse communities, embedding rights-based approaches, and managing multidisciplinary research teams to deliver real-world outcomes.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
NSW
NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ)
Annandale, NSW
01.2013 - Current
- Lead statutory child protection practice research across the department.
- Developed practice, learning, and evaluation strategies to improve departmental effectiveness.
- Delivered comprehensive evaluations of the NSW Practice Framework, DCJ's Caseworker Development program,
- Led qualitative and mixed-method studies on child protection decision-making, cultural competency, inclusion of children and young people, cultural competency, and the learning experience of Aboriginal and CALD caseworkers.
- Managed knowledge translation through workshops, presentations, publications, and ministerial briefings.
NSW
ActionAid Australia
Sydney , NSW
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Led global program strategy across Asia and Africa, aligning with rights-based and feminist approaches.
- Managed a large technical and program team, including partnerships and field offices.
- Oversaw DFAT accreditation, developed a 5-year strategic plan, and program manuals.
- Directed a research portfolio across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East in HIV/AIDS, human rights, gender justice, gender resilience, and reproductive health.
- Contributed to global and national forums, strategies, and policy formation
<ul> <li>PhD: When My Spirit Collapses - Understanding the prevalence and response to HIV and Mental Health in Vietnam and UNAIDS' Global Response.</li> <li>Published in the American Journal of Public Health and Oxford University Press.</li> </ul>
UNSW
01.2007 - 01.2010
- PhD: When My Spirit Collapses - Understanding the prevalence and response to HIV and Mental Health in Vietnam and UNAIDS' Global Response.
- Published in the American Journal of Public Health and Oxford University Press.
Thailand
CARE USA
Bangkok, Thailand
01.2003 - 12.2005
- Developed Asia Region HIV/AIDS Strategy.
- Managed cross-country programs, teams, and bilateral and multilateral partnerships in HIV and health.
- Led cross-country research in corporate social responsibility, Regional mobility and HIV/AIDS, Workforce response to HIV/AIDS and reproductive health, Faith Based responses to HIV/AIDS
Vietnam
CARE Australia
Canberra, Vietnam
01.1992 - 01.2003
- Led design and delivery of over 40 multi-sector development and humanitarian programs in Africa, Asia, and Middle East.
- Program Manager - humanitarian and development assistance in Iraq, Vietnam, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kenya, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, and Angola.
- Research on community-based child protection, gender-based violence, HIV, reproductive health, civil society strengthening, and gender resilience.
- Resided in Jordan, Hanoi, and Bangkok between 1992 and 2005.
Education
PhD - Public Health
01/2011
01.2011
Master of Public Health -
01/2001
01.2001
BA (Hons) -
01/1989
01.1989
Skills
- Policy translation and advocacy, influencing practice, and systems reform
- Cross-sector governance and partnerships, including NGOs, academia, and international agencies
- Ethical leadership and mentoring, fostering collaborative and accountable research environments
- Policy translation and advocacy, influencing practice, and systems reform
- Cross-sector governance and partnerships, including NGOs, academia, and international agencies
- Ethical leadership and mentoring, fostering collaborative and accountable research environments
Awards
NSW Premier’s Award for Public Service, for Child Sexual Abuse Kit, CARE Australia Postgraduate Scholarship, for MPH studies
Publications
- Esposito et al. (2009), AJPH: "Depression in HIV-positive men in Vietnam"
- Esposito & Tarantola (2012), Oxford University Press: "HIV, Mental Health and Human Rights"
- UNICEF & Ethical Culture Publishing (2002): Adolescent SRH Capacity Building
- WHO Vietnam (2001): Health, Rights, and Disaster Report
- CISS Washington (1996): HIV in Vietnam: First National Review
Timeline
NSW
NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ)
01.2013 - Current
NSW
ActionAid Australia
01.2010 - 01.2013
<ul> <li>PhD: When My Spirit Collapses - Understanding the prevalence and response to HIV and Mental Health in Vietnam and UNAIDS' Global Response.</li> <li>Published in the American Journal of Public Health and Oxford University Press.</li> </ul>
UNSW
01.2007 - 01.2010
Thailand
CARE USA
01.2003 - 12.2005
Vietnam
CARE Australia
01.1992 - 01.2003
PhD - Public Health
01/2011
Master of Public Health -
01/2001
BA (Hons) -
01/1989
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