Liz Kenna

A skilled and professional executive with extensive experience in providing leadership, project management and team management to deliver a range of successful strategic initiatives in the higher education sector. Demonstrated excellence in the ability to influence others and foster lasting stakeholder relationships.

• Women at Sydney Steering Committee, 2019, present, Secured a position as committee member via a competitive application process. Participate in creating a vision and directing activities to enhance the opportunities and experiences for female staff of the University of Sydney. Committee consists of a diverse group of women and men who contribute to the effectiveness of the committee’s purpose.

• University of Sydney Pride Network Member, 2018, present, Supporting the inclusion of LGBTIQ members of our community. Completed Ally training and participate in regular meetings to actively promote cultural change by giving LGBTIQ staff and students a voice.

• Culturally Competent Leadership Program, 2018, Completed all core modules and participated in the immersive program, developed cultural competence capabilities to build connections between leadership and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contexts.

• Science in Australian Gender Equity (SAGE), 2021, EDI Leads consultation group representative tasked to drive this initiative more broadly throughout the University of Sydney.

• Panel Pledge advocate, 02/2019, present, Provide advocacy to the University’s Panel Pledge initiative and influence diversity in all programs and activities that I manage.

• Co-Chair, Women at Sydney Network, 2022, present, Lead, curate and deliver a range of activities that build an environment where all women feel respected, connected and supported to thrive. This network is a university wide initiative supported by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (ISS), Lisa Jackson Pulvar AM.

• Working Group Member, Student Academic Progression and Early Intervention Indicators, 2023, present, Review our early intervention and academic progression processes, data and systems capabilities to identify opportunities for improvement. Assigned to the Benchmarking Working Group which involves engaging with counterparts across identified national institutions and conducting evaluation activities.

• Mentor – Sydney Women’s Leadership Program, 2021, 2023, Selected and invited to act as mentor in this program and invited to present welcome address to the new 2021 cohort.

• Sydney Women’s Leadership Program, 2020, One of 20 women selected via competitive process to participate in Leadership training. Program included a 360 review with results testifying desirable leadership qualities.

• Faculty Board (Science), 2018, 2022, Voting member of the Faculty Board and applied for this position to learn more about decisions pertaining to education and research. I value the opportunity to contribute to course structure decisions and engage with academic and professional staff that I would not normally consort with in my substantive role.

• Project Lead, Stargazing LIVE, Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the University of Sydney, 2018, Mobilised a project team to deliver a large-scale public event on campus within a three-week timeline. Worked with ABC to ensure that the University of Sydney received valuable return benefits from their involvement in this event. Achieved positive media coverage and kudos including a personal email of congratulations from Dr Michael Spence, Vice Chancellor and Principal. Achieved Guinness Book of Records for the greatest number of stargazers at the same time.

• Emerging Leaders and Managers Program (e-LAMP), 2015, Nominated to participate in the e-LAMP program and successfully completed three units of study.

• Project Lead, Launch of Australian Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, 2015, Delivered a successful 3-day launch event. Demonstrated leadership and flexibility when a team member withdrew, and I took on the additional role of international speaker liaison and their travel arrangements. I led briefings with both academic and professional staff in the lead up to this event.