Arlene Tansey OAM

about

A DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN GOVERNANCE, FINANCE, AND LAW

Arlene Tansey OAM is one of Australia's most accomplished non-executive directors, bringing over three decades of experience in commercial and investment banking, law, and corporate governance to her high-profile board appointments. Her distinguished career exemplifies the intersection of financial acumen, legal expertise, and strategic leadership across some of Australia's most significant listed companies and institutions.

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CURRENT BOARD APPOINTMENTS

Currently, Arlene serves as a Non-Executive Director of Aristocrat Leisure Limited, one of the world's leading gaming technology companies, where she chairs the Audit Committee and serves on the Regulatory and Compliance Committee. Her governance expertise extends to McMillan Shakespeare Group and LaTrobe Financial (a non-Bak Financial Institution owned by Brookfield Capital). Demonstrating her commitment to education and international engagement, Arlene serves on the board of the University of Wollongong Global Enterprises, which recently won the 63rd Australian Export Awards in International Education. Additionally, she chairs the Serco Asia-Pacific Advisory Board, bringing her strategic insights to one of the region's major government and military service delivery organisations with a significant presence in the United States supporting the AUKUS program.

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FINANCIAL LEADERSHIP ACROSS GLOBAL MARKETS

Arlene's career trajectory reflects a remarkable blend of international and domestic experience. Before transitioning to her portfolio of non-executive directorships, she built a formidable reputation in the financial services sector, working with two of Australia's most prestigious financial institutions, ANZ Banking Group and Macquarie Bank, where she developed deep expertise in commercial and investment banking. Her international experience includes significant roles in investment banking and law in the United States, which have provided her with a genuinely global perspective on business strategy and financial markets.

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ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS

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Her academic credentials are equally impressive. Arlene holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California's Gould School of Law, one of America's premier law schools, and an MBA from New York University's Stern School of Business. This combination of legal training and business education has proven invaluable throughout her career, enabling her to navigate complex regulatory environments while maintaining a clear focus on commercial outcomes and stakeholder value.

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PREVIOUS BOARD APPOINTMENTS

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Arlene's previous board appointments demonstrate the breadth of her governance experience and the trust major Australian organisations place in her. She has served as a Non-Executive Director of TPG Telecom and WiseTech Global Limited, two significant ASX-listed technology companies, as well as NSW Ports Corporation, Snowy Hydro (mainland Australia’s Hydro Electricity Peaker), and Infrastructure NSW, where she contributed to shaping the state's critical infrastructure strategy. Her role on the Australian Institute of Company Directors' NSW Division Council and National Board further underscores her standing within the governance community and her commitment to advancing director standards and practices.

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A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

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Originally from New York, Arlene has lived and worked across continents, including the United States, South America, and Europe, before making Australia her home for the past thirty years. This truly international background informs her approach to business and governance, bringing diverse perspectives to the boardroom. She holds Australian, US, and Irish citizenship, reflecting her multicultural heritage and global outlook.

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RECOGNITION AND PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

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Arlene's contributions to Australian business and governance have been formally recognised through her award of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), one of the nation's highest civilian honours. This recognition reflects not only her professional achievements but also her broader contributions to strengthening corporate governance standards and business leadership in Australia.

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Beyond her formal board roles, Arlene is deeply engaged with several prestigious professional organisations. She was a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors from 1999 - 2025, and is currently a member of Chief Executive Women, Australia's pre-eminent organisation for women leaders, and the International Women's Forum, a global network of pre-eminent women of significant and diverse achievement. Arlene has demonstrated her commitment to the highest standards of directorship and continues to advance governance practices across the Australian corporate landscape.

EXPERTISE IN AUDIT, RISK, AND COMPLIANCE

Throughout her career, Arlene has been particularly focused on audit, risk, and compliance matters, chairing audit committees for multiple organisations and applying her financial and legal expertise to ensure robust governance frameworks and financial integrity, supporting management teams in their acquisition and divestment programs, and supporting growth and scale expansion at speed. Her experience spans financial services, technology, infrastructure, gaming, aerospace, government services, automotive services, museums, and education, demonstrating remarkable versatility and the ability to add value across diverse industry sectors.

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A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP

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With her unique combination of international banking experience, legal training, governance expertise, and strategic insight, Arlene Tansey OAM continues to shape the direction of major Australian organisations while contributing to the broader conversation about corporate leadership, governance excellence, and the role of business in society. Her career serves as an inspiring example of how deep expertise, global perspective, and unwavering commitment to excellence can create lasting impact across the corporate landscape.

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