Edward Palmisano

• Financial Management: Managed a $17 million budget, consistently exceeding financial targets. Tripled financial reserves from $12 million to $36 million. Negotiated $5 million+ in funding agreements with governments. Introduced a new five-year Investment Strategy, approved by the Board. Diversified revenue.
• Strategic Leadership: Collaborated with CEO to lead 40-person team. Developed Centre’s Strategy, Business Plan, and Budget, all approved by Board.
• People & Culture: Doubled the size of the Centre from 20 to 40 staff. Implemented initiatives for talent retention, career growth, skill development, mental health, diversity and inclusion. Led culture change initiatives, achieving "Best Workplace" and "Culture Change" awards.
• Board Relations: Gained Board trust with regular, evidence-based reporting. Introduced a new Performance Report using whole-of-centre data. Reported to the Board on the Centre’s financial and operational performance.
• Governance & Risk: Delivered new Risk Management Framework and Emergency Management Plan, resumed internal audit, ensured regulatory compliance, and mitigated key physical and reputational risks.
• Collaborated with federal and state governments to facilitate delegations to key locations, including the White House and Pentagon.

• Financial Growth: Led international revenue growth by 70%, generating $9.74 million over four years with a 51% margin increase. Expanded B2B revenue by 145%. Worked with clients in China, Fiji, Hong Kong, Kiribati, Malaysia, New Zealand, PNG, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tonga, UAE, USA and Vanuatu.
• Strategic Leadership: Introduced AICD’s first board-approved International Growth Strategy and Operational Plan. Established priority markets in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Fiji; opened new markets in PNG and UAE. Led 12 person team.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Achieved 30% membership growth across 85 countries. Delivered 70 director education programs, increasing participation by 125% to over 1,500. Organized 85 international events, a 20% increase.
• Strategic Partnerships: Built strategic relationships with Australian diplomats and partnered with global institutions. Represented the AICD at Global Network of Director Institutes (GNDI) meetings in Dubai, St Petersburg and Bangkok, and appointed Chair of the GNDI Strategy Committee.
• Media & Public Engagement: Delivered 25 speeches to 2,200 people in global markets. Led 48 roadshows in UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore, Fiji, and PNG. Engaged with social and traditional media, reaching 200,000 through radio interviews.
• Social Impact: Introduced measures to increase female board representation, achieving 50% women on AICD committees. Launched International Scholarships Program for emerging leaders. Introduced Governance Diplomacy Program to strengthen governance in developing countries.
• Risk & Compliance: Achieved 100% legal and regulatory compliance across the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific. Ensured staff safety during crises, including the Hong Kong protests and COVID-19. Introduced training on first aid, anti-bribery, anti-corruption, cultural awareness and risk simulation.

• Chaired the Strategy Committee, driving global membership growth across continents. Represented AICD at international meetings in St Petersburg (2017), Bangkok (2018) and Dubai (2019).
• Collaborated with global directors to develop strategic initiatives and policies that enhanced organizational alignment.
• Guided committees in creating frameworks that fostered sustainable organizational growth.
• Facilitated discussions on best practices for board governance, contributing to improved leadership development.

• Led the development of the 2015-2019 Strategic Plan and conducted risk reviews. Represented the Society at public events and advised on governance.
• Guided strategic planning initiatives that expanded gallery programs and exhibitions.
• Evaluated exhibition proposals to ensure strategic alignment with organizational vision and goals.
• Collaborated with diverse stakeholders to increase art appreciation and education engagement.

Strategic leadership

· Ensured alignment between Department Business Plan, Minister’s strategic goals and Premier's Priorities

· Prepared the Secretary for Budget Estimates, including the preparation of 200 briefing notes, helping the Secretary rehearse and supporting the Secretary during the hearing

· Drafted the Secretary’s Performance Agreement for her performance appraisal with the NSW Premier

Policy advice

· Reviewed approximately 2,250 Cabinet submissions, Ministerial submissions, briefing notes and correspondence for quality and accuracy prior to Secretary’s review

· Provided advice to the Department on State Priorities, Premier's Priorities and Departmental priorities

· Coordinated the preparation of briefing for the Secretary on the Greater Sydney Commission, Western Sydney Airport and factors impacting housing supply and affordability

Governance

· Designed and delivered a new senior executive governance framework to improve accountability, collaboration and decision making across the Department’s portfolio

· Streamlined the Department’s complaints handling framework

Stakeholder engagement

· Drafted 14 speeches for the Secretary on sustainable infrastructure, housing approvals and the environment

· Led the Secretary's internal engagement strategy

· Coordinated the Department’s nominations for awards and appointments, including the Premier’s Awards

Management skills

· Led 4 people in the Secretary’s Office

· Managed a Culture Change Project to boost collaboration and innovation across the Department

· Introduced efficiencies to improve the operation of the Secretary’s office, including a dashboard to track Department KPIs, a review of the Secretary’s Delegations and a new template for briefing notes

• Collaborated with stakeholders to develop immigration settlement strategies.
• Facilitated community engagement sessions to gather input on settlement needs.
• Reviewed policy proposals to enhance immigration support services.
• Advised on immigration policy and settlement strategy to enhance community integration.

Spearheaded university engagement with international, federal, state, and local governments.

Designed and implemented inaugural government engagement strategy featuring six goals and 25 actions.

Established a unified gateway for government engagement, including comprehensive guides and action plans.

Represented university in meetings with federal education minister, shadow minister, and senators.

Negotiated favorable outcomes with NSW government, securing $10 million for Westmead initiative.

Revitalized relationship with City of Sydney through new MOU and leadership of steering committee.

Formed coalition among eight universities to advocate for higher education reform.

Cultivated strategic partnerships with industry groups to enhance research collaboration and student recruitment.

• Provided expert advice to shape policy development.
• Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
• Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
• Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.

• International Negotiations: Represented Australia in key negotiations including US Free Trade Agreements, disarmament, and UN conferences. Awarded DFAT Australia Day Citation for crisis management during the Israel-Lebanon conflict.
• Crisis Management: Evacuated 3,200 Australians during the Israel-Lebanon conflict. Provided consular assistance during major crises including the Indian Ocean Tsunami and Bali Bombings.
• Foreign Policy Development: Developed policies addressing counter-terrorism, climate change, transnational crime, and Australia's strategic interests in Iraq and Afghanistan, enhancing national security and international cooperation.
• Public Diplomacy & Media: Designed and executed public diplomacy strategy to enhance Australia's image in Spain, effectively managing sensitive media narratives and representing Australia in Spanish media.
• Management: Led 5-person Public Diplomacy team at Australian Embassy in Madrid, coordinating efforts to promote Australia's interests and engagement with local stakeholders.