Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Hobbies and Interests
Volunteer Experience
Timeline

Celeste Johnston

Melbourne,Vic

Summary

I am an accomplished executive with a successful track record of delivering large-scale transformation programs in various industries, including government, utilities, banking/finance, telecommunications, retail, and events. Comfortable working in fast-paced, customer-centric environments and with extensive leadership experience gained both internationally and locally. Focused, determined, politically savvy, and enjoy working in rapidly changing environments. Experience in consulting advisory and corporate services business management, with a broad range of experience in private and public sector organizations. I have built high-performance, innovative cultures at companies such as Coles, MCEC, AGL, GE, Credit Suisse, and Telstra. Strategic thinker and leader of transformational change, with experience working with executive groups and board-level participants. Innovative in utilizing people and technology for future state business change through the development and implementation of strategies, business operating models, technology architectures, and program management governance. ERP Specialist leader Experience with Core System Transformations including complex business process.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

Chief Information Officer – Director of Technology

Hazeldenes
04.2022 - Current
  • Supporting a user base of 2000 staff providing innovation and leadership in the transformation and management of digital capability.
  • Led digital transformation initiatives to modernize business processes and improve overall efficiency.
  • Established a culture of continuous improvement within the IT department through regular performance evaluations and skill development opportunities.
  • Fostered cross-functional collaboration by building relationships between IT professionals and stakeholders across the organization.
  • Enhanced cybersecurity measures by conducting risk assessments and implementing security protocols.
  • Implemented comprehensive disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity during critical incidents.
  • Evaluated emerging technologies to identify potential competitive advantages for adoption within the company''s strategic roadmap.
  • Streamlined IT operations by consolidating systems and implementing process improvements.
  • Championed change management efforts to drive successful implementation of new technologies or processes throughout the organization.

Director, Digital Innovation | Acting Deputy CIO

Department of Education
10.2022 - 04.2023
  • Guiding the Department’s digital capability and leading digital transformation for the Department including VIC Government schools.

Transformation Business Engagement Lead

Coles
07.2022 - 04.2023
  • Work closely with the executive leadership team to build an innovation capability and culture to enable strategic planning and future services concepts for export.

Head of Engineering | Online & Stores

Wesfarmers
01.2022 - 07.2022
  • Technology & Delivery leader- on and offshore, contributing to and evolving engineering practices.

CIO | Director of Information Technology | Head of Digital Transformation

MCEC
08.2018 - 01.2022
  • Accountable for effective deployment and use of information technology across all areas of MCEC.

Head of Digital Transformation – Capability Leader | Head of Testing

AGL
09.2016 - 08.2018
  • Delivered capability uplift and a software maturity assessment.

Head of Quality Assurance | IT Business Solutions | Transformation Leader

GE Capital / Latitude Financial
11.2012 - 08.2016
  • Introduced Risk based testing, automation and performance framework and new tools to align to the Agile agenda.

Senior Vice President – Asia-Pac/Americas

Credit Suisse
09.2009 - 09.2012
  • Driving Problem management/ Production Stability processes within the region.

Vice President – Global Head of Quality and Testing

Credit Suisse
02.2007 - 09.2009
  • Test Prime for all Testing deliverables and managing 20 staff.

Program Test Manager

Telstra
04.2006 - 01.2007

Test Manager

Coles
08.2005 - 03.2006

Various Consulting roles

Telstra, Tabcorp, RACV, Coles Myer, Target

Education

Effective Leadership – MBA remote program -

Harvard University
09.2025
Period: Current

AGL nominated Leadership Development Program -

Monash Business School
Period: 10/17 - 06/18

Frontline Management -

Leadership Management Initiative Program
Period: 03/99 - 08/99

IT Management Personal Leadership Program, Leadership Management Australia -

TABCORP
Period: 08/98 - 04/99

VCE- Victorian Certificate of Education -

S.C.C Our Lady of Sion
Period: 01/90 - 11/91

Frontline Management -

Leadership Management Initiative Program
Period: 03/99 - 08/99

IT Management Personal Leadership Program, Leadership Management Australia -

TABCORP
Period: 08/98 - 04/99

VCE- Victorian Certificate of Education -

S.C.C Our Lady of Sion
Period: 01/90 - 11/91

Skills

  • Innovation Warrior
  • Thought Leader
  • Strategy Development
  • People Leader – Mentor, Coach and Career Advisory
  • Governance – Data, Legal, Finance, Procurement, commercially astute
  • Complex corporate services function leadership with government oversight- ERP/HR/Payroll
  • Business Case development
  • Portfolio/Program Management
  • Organisational Change advocate
  • Energy and enthusiasm to motivate and encourage others to deliver high quality best practices results
  • Excellent Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Flexible and Adaptable

Hobbies and Interests

  • Horse Riding (Have horse – Black Caviars Brother, Caviar by the Bay)
  • Domestic Netball
  • VRC – (Victoria Racing Club) race goer
  • Dog Lover
  • Running (11 half Marathons)
  • Painting
  • Red Wine
  • Music
  • Snow Skiing
  • Dancing
  • Socialising with friends and family

Volunteer Experience

  • Diversity Ambassador, She Mentor program, 2019
  • Sponsor, Women in Technology Program, Women in STEM, 2019
  • Mentor, ACS - Australian Computer Society, 2019
  • Palliative Care Volunteer, Royal Women’s Hospital NICU unit, Helping parents transition to palliative care on NICU.
  • Volunteer, Launch Housing, Launch Housing’s mission is to end homelessness – very passionate to sponsor staff volunteer days to help with homelessness in Melbourne.

Timeline

Director, Digital Innovation | Acting Deputy CIO - Department of Education
10.2022 - 04.2023
Transformation Business Engagement Lead - Coles
07.2022 - 04.2023
Chief Information Officer – Director of Technology - Hazeldenes
04.2022 - Current
Head of Engineering | Online & Stores - Wesfarmers
01.2022 - 07.2022
CIO | Director of Information Technology | Head of Digital Transformation - MCEC
08.2018 - 01.2022
Head of Digital Transformation – Capability Leader | Head of Testing - AGL
09.2016 - 08.2018
Head of Quality Assurance | IT Business Solutions | Transformation Leader - GE Capital / Latitude Financial
11.2012 - 08.2016
Senior Vice President – Asia-Pac/Americas - Credit Suisse
09.2009 - 09.2012
Vice President – Global Head of Quality and Testing - Credit Suisse
02.2007 - 09.2009
Program Test Manager - Telstra
04.2006 - 01.2007
Test Manager - Coles
08.2005 - 03.2006
Various Consulting roles - Telstra, Tabcorp, RACV, Coles Myer, Target
Harvard University - Effective Leadership – MBA remote program,
Monash Business School - AGL nominated Leadership Development Program,
Leadership Management Initiative Program - Frontline Management,
TABCORP - IT Management Personal Leadership Program, Leadership Management Australia,
S.C.C Our Lady of Sion - VCE- Victorian Certificate of Education,
Leadership Management Initiative Program - Frontline Management,
TABCORP - IT Management Personal Leadership Program, Leadership Management Australia,
S.C.C Our Lady of Sion - VCE- Victorian Certificate of Education,
Celeste Johnston