Leading community housing provider Compass Housing Services has appointed Professor Caroline McMillen as its newest board member.
Professor McMillen is the current Chief Scientist for South Australia and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Newcastle. She holds a BA (Honours) and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Oxford and completed her medical training graduating with an MB BChir from the University of Cambridge.
Compass Group Managing Director Greg Budworth said Professor McMillen brought impressive expertise to the Compass board.
“In addition to her impressive academic career, Professor McMillen has extensive experience as a company director having served on the Boards of the Australian Business Higher Education Round Table, Universities Australia, the Universities Admissions Centre and as a Business Events Sydney Ambassador,” he said.
“She has also served on international disciplinary bodies, research policy and assessment panels and industry groups, including the Australia Automotive Industry Innovation Council, the South Australian Premier’s Climate Change Council and the NSW Innovation and Productivity Council.”
Professor McMillen said she looked forward to working with a company that played a vital role on the frontline of the housing crisis.
“As both a service provider and housing advocate, Compass sets the standard within the community housing industry,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to working with my fellow directors and rest of the team as the company pursues its vision for a world in which all people have safe and adequate housing and are engaged in sustainable communities.”
Professor Caroline McMillen commenced in the role as Chief Scientist for South Australia in October 2018 after serving as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Newcastle for 7 years between 2011 and 2018. She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, a Fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales and a Bragg Member of the Royal Institution, Australia.
She has served in academic leadership positions at Monash University, the University of Adelaide and at the University of South Australia where she held the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation.
Professor McMillen’s research focused on the early origins of metabolic and cardiovascular health in adult life and she was a member of the PMSEIC Working Group on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander maternal, fetal and post-natal health. She is also an active champion for girls and women in science and she was a Member of the Expert Advisory Group for Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE).
Throughout her career Professor McMillen has been committed to building collaborations between universities, government, industry and communities that drive innovation and have a positive impact on the economic, social and cultural health of Australia.
