Kristina Keneally

The Hon Professor Kristina Keneally is best known as the first woman to hold office as the 42nd Premier of New South Wales, and also as Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. She has also enjoyed a highly successful career in business, and performed senior roles in academia and with not-for-profit organisations.

An articulate keynote speaker, Kristina Keneally draws on her broad experience in business and politics to empower audiences, speaking on a wide variety of topics from leadership to motherhood and work-life balance, sport, politics and religion.

Kristina Keneally enjoyed a long career in politics. She was the Member for Heffron in the New South Wales Parliament between 2003-2012 and served in Cabinet in various roles including; Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Planning, Minister for Infrastructure and Government Spokesperson for World Youth Day. In 2009 she was elected Premier of New South Wales, a position she held until 2011.

Following her time in NSW State politics Kristina was appointed to the role of CEO of Basketball Australia, a position she held from 2012-2014.

After NSW politics Kristina co-presented her own shows on Sky News Australia.

Kristina was the Director of Gender Inclusion/Adjunct Professor at the Macquarie Graduate School of Management and a regular columnist. She served as a Director of Souths Cares, Patron of the Stillbirth Foundation Australia and Ambassador for Opportunity Australia International.

In  January 2018 Kristina was chosen by the Parliament of NSW to represent NSW in the Senate of Australia where she served as Deputy Senate leader until 2022. In late 2022 she took up a new role as CEO of Sydney Children’s hospital foundation.

Kristina Keneally holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science and an MA in Religious Studies, both from the University of Dayton.

Some Kristina Keneally speaking topics:

Leadership in adverse times

Women in Leadership

Work-life balance

Motherhood

Religion & Catholicism

Elite and recreational sport

Politics

Public policy

Change management

Cracking the glass ceiling

Download Kristina Keneally’s bio in PDF format

What people have said about Kristina:

Kristina was a delight to deal with. Her presentation was most engaging and very well received.  She was effortlessly articulate and delivered key messages around the importance of work/life flexibility, and having a written ‘statement of purpose’ to refer to as circumstances change throughout your life.  Kristina also provided a valuable message to the women in the room – be confident, back yourself and don’t be unreasonable in your self-belief.

All in all, the event was a great success.

Karina Lynch Project Manager James Cook University

Kristina was FABULOUS and so lovely, I’m such a big fan!.She was really well received and our delegates were quite captivated – she truly was a highlight to work with.”

Annie Hart – Events Administrator – Club Managers Association Australia

The ACU National Student Leadership Summit was a wonderful success. Kristina’s keynote address and Q&A was engaging, entertaining and very relevant for the emerging young ACU leaders. The students were also very appreciative that Kristina was happy to meet with them individually after her keynote and they could get some photos with her.

Eric Robinson Student Leadership Coordinator – Australian Catholic University

“Kristina’s talk went down very well – a standing ovation no less! Her presentation was well researched and delivered with dignity. Many people commented on her engaging style and that they stayed tuned in for its entirety. The content and Kristina’s perspective certainly resonated with the vast majority of our 1,500+ attendees.”

Ross Horner – Director Leadership and School Development -Townsville Catholic Education.

The feedback is rave reviews from members. It was a very successful session and Kristina had a great style. We also appreciated she knew the Property Council well (from her time as NSW Planning Minister and NSW Premier). I have no doubt we will ask Kristina to moderate a similar event again.

Matthew Cross  –  Government Relations Manager – Property Council of Australia

Photo: Sky News