Super networkers have a great list of contacts and a network composed of many loose connections that foster the flow of opportunities and ideas. Here are 15 of Australia’s super networkers, the ‘golden contacts’ everyone wants to know.
David Gonski
Chancellor of the University of NSW, chair of the ANZ Banking Group and Coca-Cola Amatil Limited, among other appointments. He has been involved in four reviews for the Australian federal government, the best known being the “Gonski Review” into school funding.
Lindsay Maxsted
Chair of the Westpac Banking Corporation, chair of the Transurban Group, director of BHP Billiton and managing director of Align Capital.
Gene Tilbrook
A director of GPT Group, Orica, Woodside Petroleum and the Bell Shakespeare Company.
Jane Hemstritch
Chair of the Victorian Opera Company and non-executive director of Lendlease Group, Tabcorp Holdings and Telstra.
Brian Long
Director of Brambles and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
Nora Scheinkestel
Chair of Macquarie Atlas Roads Limited as well as a director of its stapled entity Macquarie Atlas Roads International Limited, and a director of Telstra. She is also an associate professor at the Melbourne Business School.
Maxine Brenner
Director of Origin Energy, Qantas, Orica and Growthpoint Properties Ltd.
Yasmin Allen
Director of Cochlear Limited, Santos Limited, ASX Limited, the National Portrait Gallery and a board member of the George Institute for Global Health.
Catherine Livingstone
President of the Business Council of Australia and director of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, WorleyParsons and the George Institute for Global Health. President of the Australian Museum Trust.
Michael Chaney
Chair of Woodside Petroleum and Wesfarmers, a director of the Centre for Independent Studies, and the current chancellor of the University of Western Australia.
Sam Mostyn
Chair of Citigroup and the Carriageworks arts centre and non-executive director of Virgin Australia, Transurban, Mirvac and Cover-More Group among other appointments. She is on the Global Commission on Business and Sustainable Development and is a commissioner with the AFL.
Gordon Cairns
Chair of Woolworths, Origin Energy and Quick Service Restaurants, and non-executive director of Macquarie Group, World Education Australia.
Sue Cato
Owner of corporate communications company Cato Counsel and board member of the Carriageworks arts centre. She knows everybody in business and takes care of their crises.
Simon Mordant
An investment banker, Mordant is executive co-chair of Luminis Partners, board director of MoMA PS1, a director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the Asia Board of the Wharton School and the Garvan Research Foundation. He is also chair of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
Elizabeth Proust
Chair of Nestlé Australia, the Bank of Melbourne and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is a director of Insurance Manufacturers of Australia and a member of the Catholic Church’s Truth, Justice and Healing Council.