10 Influential CHROs and People Leaders in Brisbane
- Jonno White
- Aug 5
- 5 min read
Brisbane is home to people leaders working across investment, aviation, water, transport, rail, care, logistics, banking, higher education and resources. Their titles differ, but their work often sits close to the choices that shape capability, culture, safety and the everyday experience of work.
This guide introduces ten current CHROs and senior people leaders connected to Brisbane organisations and institutions. It is not a ranking, and it does not claim that every person lives in Brisbane. The focus is the organisation or institution and the practical people responsibility attached to each role.
Why this role matters.
A CHRO, CPO or senior people executive often works where strategy becomes real for employees. That can include workforce planning, leadership, employee relations, wellbeing, inclusion, capability and the systems that help managers make good decisions.
The useful test is simple. Can people see what matters, understand their part and take the next sensible action? When people leadership helps make that possible, culture becomes part of ordinary work rather than a statement that sits apart from it.
The people to know.
Chief People and Culture Officer, QIC
QIC says he leads people strategy across HR advisory, remuneration and reward, talent, performance, and diversity and inclusion. It also records more than 30 years of experience across financial services, telecommunications and automotive organisations.
That makes his role a useful example of how a people function can connect workforce systems with the needs of a complex investment organisation. Read the linked organisation page for the current role context.
Executive General Manager People, Culture & Governance, Brisbane Airport Corporation
Brisbane Airport Corporation says Jane joined in 2011 and leads a multidisciplinary team across health, safety and environment, legal services, company secretariat and human resources. It also records more than 13 years of experience in performance and leadership development.
Her remit shows why people leadership in a major operational environment cannot be separated from safety, governance and the quality of everyday leadership. Read the linked organisation page for the current role context.
Acting Executive General Manager People, Culture and Safety, Seqwater
Seqwater lists Anthony in an acting executive people, culture and safety role and records more than 20 years of experience across resources, infrastructure and professional services.
The acting title is important because it keeps the public description precise. The wider lesson is that workforce, culture and safety often need to be led together in infrastructure organisations. Read the linked organisation page for the current role context.
Chief People Officer, Cornerstone Medical Recruitment
The Australian HR Institute records Christina as Chief People Officer at Cornerstone Medical Recruitment, with 25 years of HR and workforce transformation experience. The same biography notes recognition for her team in 2022 and 2024.
Recruitment businesses see the connection between capability and service every day, so a senior people role there sits close to both workforce design and the experience of clients and candidates. Read the linked organisation page for the current role context.
5. Rebecca Munn
Group Executive People, Wellbeing and Sustainability, Queensland Rail
Queensland Rail lists Rebecca as Group Executive People, Wellbeing and Sustainability and records more than 20 years of experience across public, government and private sectors.
The combination of people, wellbeing and sustainability makes the role a clear reminder that a healthy workforce is part of operational resilience, not a separate extra. Read the linked organisation page for the current role context.
Group Executive People and Culture, UnitingCare
UnitingCare says Shannon joined in June 2023 and brings transformation experience from complex organisations to her Group Executive People and Culture role.
In a large care and community setting, transformation has to be translated into practical support for leaders, teams and the people they serve. Read the linked organisation page for the current role context.
Executive General Manager People, Port of Brisbane
Port of Brisbane says Steffany leads human resources, business support and payroll, and records more than 10 years of experience.
The breadth of that remit shows how people leadership can sit alongside the systems that keep a major trade and logistics environment running well. Read the linked organisation page for the current role context.
Chief People Officer, BOQ Group
BOQ Group says Alexandra joined in March 2024 and brings more than 25 years of experience to her Chief People Officer role.
A current CPO appointment in financial services is a useful lens on how leaders connect capability, culture and customer trust in a highly regulated organisation. Read the linked organisation page for the current role context.
9. Phil Vaughan
Chief Human Resources Officer, The University of Queensland
A University of Queensland governance page dated February 2026 lists Phil as Chief Human Resources Officer.
Universities combine research, teaching, professional services and a wide range of communities, so the role brings a particularly broad people and culture brief. Read the linked organisation page for the current role context.
10. Adrianna Waugh
Group Executive People and Culture, 29Metals
29Metals says Adrianna assumed the role on 1 July 2024 and is responsible for human resources, employee relations and inclusion.
That mix is especially relevant in resources, where people systems, workforce relationships and inclusion have to work across operational environments and different communities. Read the linked organisation page for the current role context.
What these leaders show.
Across Brisbane, people leadership is closely connected to operational reality. The work appears in the safety of a transport system, the capability of managers, the support offered to care teams, the trust required in financial services and the workforce relationships that keep essential organisations moving.
The strongest common thread is clarity. People can do better work when expectations are visible, decisions are explained and the system does not make the right behaviour harder than it needs to be. That is practical leadership work, not a side project.
How to use this guide.
Use these profiles as a starting point for learning. Read the linked source, notice the question each role is carrying and translate one useful idea into a small test for your own team. A better question in a meeting or a clearer decision right can be more useful than a large statement about culture.
Related reading.
For a broader city view, read Influential Brisbane leaders. You can also explore Brisbane leaders to follow on LinkedIn and thought leaders in human resources.
Work with Jonno.
I help leaders build organisations people would move cities to work at. My work is practical rather than motivational, with ideas people can use on Monday morning. If your people leaders are carrying a change, culture or capability question, email jonno@consultclarity.org.
About the Author.
Jonno White is a Brisbane-based leadership consultant, keynote speaker and Certified Working Genius Facilitator, and the author of Step Up or Step Out. He works with schools, corporates and nonprofits around the world. To enquire about a keynote, workshop or facilitated leadership session, email jonno@consultclarity.org.