Lunch with Katherine Clift

This session explores leadership as it is actually experienced in complex systems – where decisions are rarely straightforward, consensus can be difficult to build, and outcomes depend on navigating competing priorities, uncertainty and disagreement. It will focus on how leaders work through these conditions in practice, including how they respond to challenge, conflict and change.

Dr Katherine Clift, NSW’s Independent Biosecurity Commissioner, will share reflections from her career across Victoria, Western Australia, New South Wales, the Commonwealth Government and New Zealand. Her experience includes national decision-making, working within committees, building consensus, and leading national programs — often in complex and contested environments. She has led teams through challenging periods and supported more innovative approaches to achieving outcomes.

Katherine will also speak to her experience with dyslexia, the challenges this has presented, and how it has influenced her approach to leadership.

This Lunch with Leaders series is open to anyone who is interested, so please feel free to share this event.

If you would like to be added to the email distribution list for upcoming events, please send an email to nabs@aff.gov.au.
A reminder email will be sent each month about the upcoming event. If you have any questions or enquiries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.