kwoodthorpe | Natural Hazards Research Australia

Dr Katherine Woodthorpe AO

About

Dr Katherine Woodthorpe AO was the Independent Chair of Natural Hazards Research Australia until November 2022, following her role as Chair with the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC from March 2019.

Dr Woodthorpe has a wealth of experience in innovation and research across many sectors. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Academy of Technology and Engineering and holds a PhD in Chemistry (Manchester) and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Technology Sydney. In 2017, she received an Order of Australia for her ongoing service to research and technology innovation in Australia.

Dr Woodthorpe has a strong track record of achieving outcomes in a range of technology-oriented industries, including medical devices and health services, and a deep knowledge of governance, leadership and the private equity and financial sectors. She is a director of several organisations, including the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute.

Previously Dr Woodthorpe Chaired the National Climate Science Advisory Committee and served as Chief Executive of the Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, which represents the venture capital industry. Prior to that she was the Chief Executive of the Technology Industries Exporters Group, an industry peak body she helped establish to assist technology companies improve their export performance.

She is a former director on several Cooperative Research Centre boards including Smartprint (Chair), Deep Exploration Technologies, Cancer Therapeutics and Capital Markets. She was the Chair of the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems CRC and the HEARing CRC.