Ms Jessica Winnall

Branch Manager (Executive)

Ms Jessica Winnall leads the ARC’s Executive Branch which provides high level support to the Chief Executive Officer’s function as the head of the agency and the Executive Directors in their transition from the academic sector to the public service. The Executive Branch is responsible for ARC’s stakeholder relations, parliamentary and internal and external communications.

Ms Winnall joined the ARC in November 2021 as the Executive Branch Manager and brings with her many years of experience in Australian Government leadership in strategic and international partnerships, policy, and programs as well as strategic communications. She brings a depth and breadth of experience from across the sector, including leading pandemic response in education, skills and career advice.

Ms Winnall has worked in senior positions across government, the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, Transparency International, the World Bank, and the private sector. She has lived and worked in Australia, the United States, Afghanistan, Timor-Leste, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

Ms Winnall has a Bachelor of International Studies (Honours) majoring in International Relations and Politics; a Masters in International Relations, Conflict and Security, UN and International Law; and Graduate Certificates in Cyber Security and in Disaster and Emergency Management. She is also a certified member of the Australian Institute of Project Management.