Patrick McKenna

Patrick McKenna has a diverse work experience in various organizations. In 2009, they became a Director of the Canberra Convention Bureau and later served as its Chairman. From 2017 to 2020, they worked as the Director of Strategy and Transition at St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn, overseeing numerous community service programs and managing a large team of staff and volunteers. In 2020, they became the National Coordinator of the Emergency Relief National Coordination Group, where they provided strategic policy advice, conducted research projects, and managed collaborative governance activities. From 2021 to 2022, they held the position of Director of Gambling and Community Policy at the Department of Social Services. Currently, they are the Director of Strategic Projects (Research) at Charles Sturt University. Additionally, they have been involved with Directions Health Services as a Director and then as the Deputy Chair since 2017.

Patrick McKenna's education history includes an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) in International Leadership from QUT (Queensland University of Technology), a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Critical Systems Thinking and Program Logic also from QUT, and they are currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Critical Systems Thinking and Collaborative Governance at Charles Sturt University. Patrick has also completed a Company Directors Course in Governance from the Australian Institute of Company Directors and obtained a Diploma of Project Management from the Australian College of Skills and Education. Additionally, they hold certifications including Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification from Learning Lean and MSP® Foundation & Practitioner Certification as well as PRINCE2® and PRINCE2® Agile Foundation & Practitioner Certification from Tanner James.