Women & Leadership Australia (WLA) has announced Dr. Cathy Foley AO PSM, Australia’s Former Chief Scientist, as the 2025 National Award recipient of the prestigious Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership. This accolade honours visionary women and gender-diverse leaders driving real change and advancing equity across business, government, and community sectors.
A physicist of international acclaim, Dr. Foley’s appointment as Australia’s ninth—and only the second female—Chief Scientist marked a defining chapter in her career. Her legacy includes major contributions to superconductivity, innovation in mineral sensing technology, and national science policy. A passionate advocate for women in STEM, Dr. Foley continues to lead from the front as a member of the CSIRO Board and Trustee of the Australian Museum.
“We are still gendered in most careers—even in STEM,” Dr. Foley remarked. “While many women pursue life sciences, they face insecure work and don’t get promoted. In physical sciences, the pipeline remains weak due to a lack of early engagement with maths and physics. There is still work to do.”
Dr. Foley’s impact extends beyond her technical expertise. Through her decades-long work, she has become a role model for aspiring scientists, especially women, proving that passion for discovery and equity can coexist and flourish.
Karen Surmon, General Manager of WLA, praised Dr. Foley’s legacy:
“As she concludes her term as Chief Scientist, we’re proud to honour Dr. Foley’s extraordinary leadership. Her drive to innovate while championing equality has transformed science and inspired generations.”
The national recognition also includes announcement of state and territory award recipients who have made remarkable contributions to their communities:
- ACT: Heidi Yates, Human Rights Lawyer
- NSW: Hon. Linda Burney, Former Member of Parliament for Barton
- NT: Karan Hayward, CEO, Papulu Apparr-Kari Aboriginal Corporation
- QLD: Anja Christoffersen, CEO, Women with Disabilities Entrepreneur Network
- SA: Dr. Manasi Murthy Mittinty, Author, Founder, CHERISH
- TAS: Assoc. Prof. Justine Shaw, Founder, Homeward Bound
- VIC: Suzie Betts, Founder, Boob Protect
- WA: Janine Dureau, CEO, Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Council
These leaders exemplify how diverse voices are reshaping Australia’s landscape across advocacy, science, health, and enterprise.
Dr. Foley received her award at the Australian Women’s Leadership Symposium in Adelaide on May 16, 2025. State recipients will be honoured at leadership events throughout the year.
Past winners of the national award include changemakers such as Sam Mostyn AO, The Hon. Julia Gillard, and Elizabeth Broderick AO, underscoring the calibre of women who have paved the way for inclusive leadership.
As Dr. Foley continues her journey—including new roles on the CSIRO Board and Trustee of the Australian Museum —she remains a beacon for women in science and beyond. Her message is clear: science needs diversity to thrive, and leadership must reflect the communities it serves.
Desi Australia congratulates all the Award Winners! For more on the Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership or to learn about Women & Leadership Australia’s programs, visit www.wla.edu.au
As an experienced media and communications professional, I serve as Advisor to:
-Digital Journalists Association of India (DIJAI)
-Sansad Ratna Awards, which honour top-performing Indian MPs.
-PreSense, India’s oldest volunteer-run digital magazine.
In Australia, I host shows for Radio Bollywood Beats and Friends World TV, highlighting diaspora voices and changemakers.
I am the Global Head of Partnerships and Australian Ambassador for Mission ShakthiSAT—the world’s first all-female-led space initiative—I help empower over 12,000 young women across 108 countries, with a strong focus on mentoring students in science journalism.
