Sandy is an accomplished public-sector leader, with experience leading agencies in both Victoria and South Australia, and has made a significant contribution to public policy and outcomes. Sandy is currently the Chief Executive of the Department of Human Services, South Australia, following her role as Deputy Under Treasurer in August 2022.

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She was the inaugural Secretary of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing in Victoria, an agency which includes child protection and women’s policy.

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Throughout 2020 Sandy led the Victorian COVID-19 response returning the state to COVID-19 zero. Previously, Sandy was the Chief Executive of the SA Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (2015-2018), connecting people to parks and delivering on the state’s ambitious Climate Change agenda. 

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Sandy worked at the UK’s Commission for Racial Equality and her first role in SA was as Director of the South Australian Office for Women. 

In 2012, Sandy won the Telstra Business Woman of the year ‘Community and Public sector’ category.