Galen Townson

Galen Townson is a senior leader with over 25 years in strategic execution, complex programs, and change initiatives, up to AU$500 million and general manager level, for education, energy, government, finance, and for-purpose sectors, including the United Nations. He currently leads the strategy and transformation project management office for Western Australia’s Department of Communities, supporting pathways for individual, family, and community wellbeing.

Since 1999, Mr. Townson has served on boards, and finance, governance, audit, and risk committees, including for professional associations, community, and sustainability non-profits. He has completed non-profit board and company director courses, and ongoing director professional development as a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and UK Institute of Directors.

Mr. Townson has over 15 project management-related professional certifications including disciplined and scaled agile, project and program, portfolio, benefits, risk, and PMO management. He has spoken at international conferences, teaches project management and strategy execution to MBA level students at a top-100 University of Western Australia, and was a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.

Following his Executive MBA and Graduate Certificate in Social Impact (University of Western Australia), he studied sustainability (Curtin University) and earned advanced project management and energy innovation certificates (Stanford University), and a Master of Applied Positive Psychology (University of Melbourne).

Joining PMI in 2000, Mr. Townson served in chapter board roles from 2009, including as a chapter president in 2012–2014. As region mentor in 2014–2018, he supported and developed leaders, boards, and governance for PMI in Australia and New Zealand, and now serves on PMI’s global board of directors and audit committee.

He enjoys being present, maintaining curiosity, traveling, sailing, and learning with his young family. He also has active interests in sustainability, social enterprise, design thinking, and systems practice, and coaches and mentors for purpose, impact, and well-being.