Three industry leaders join our Board

Acclaimed leaders from McKinsey, Coles and the University of Melbourne have been appointed as members of the Melbourne Business School Board

Industry leaders Wendy Stops, Wesley Walden and Professor Emma Johnston AO have been appointed as members of the Melbourne Business School Board.

Both Wendy and Wesley have strong ties to the School, with Wendy recently announced as Chair of the Institute for Digital Innovation and AI Advisory Board, and Wesley having obtained his MBA here.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have access to Wesley and Wendy’s expertise,” Melbourne Business School Dean Professor Jenny George said.

“Their advice and experience will be crucial in helping the School navigate the changing needs of our learners and the broader business community.”

Professor Emma Johnston AO has assumed a position on the board in her capacity as Vice Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, a role she commenced in February this year.

“Professor Johnston’s extensive experience in the Higher Education sector, having held numerous leadership positions at Australian Group of Eight universities, will be invaluable as we continue to cement ourselves as global leaders in business education and research,” Professor George said.

Wendy Stops

Wendy is a Non-executive Director of Coles Group and PwC Australia’s Governance Board, Chairs the Fitted for Work Future Fund, and is a member of the AICD’s Governance of Innovation & Technology advisory panel, with more than 30 years of experience working at the intersection of technology and business.

Until recently, she was Chair and Non-executive Director of Fitted for Work, a Deputy Chancellor and Council Member at the University of Melbourne and previously held board positions at Blackmores (including as Chair), Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Altium. She has also been involved in advisory committees and boards with the Federal government, Kearney ANZ and Chief Executive Women.

Wendy has a long affiliation with the School, having served as the Chair of the Centre for Business Analytics advisory board from 2019 until 2025 and was recently announced as the inaugural Chair of the advisory board for the new Institute of Digital Innovation and AI.

“I’m excited to join the board of the Melbourne Business School and be part of a great institution with a world recognised reputation,” Wendy said.

“Master's programs and access to executive education in particular are growing in importance to industry and I look forward to working with the executive and the board to advance MBS’s already strong focus in these disciplines."

Wesley Walden

Wesley is the Managing Partner of McKinsey & Company, Australia & New Zealand.

With over 20 years of experience, he is a seasoned expert in transformation, dedicated to assisting organisations and their leaders across Asia and globally to reinvent their business models and enhance performance. He is also an alum of the School, having completed his MBA in 2003.

“Joining the MBS Board is an opportunity to give back to an institution that has been pivotal in shaping my leadership journey,” he said.

“I hope to contribute to its legacy of excellence by encouraging innovation, strengthening industry connections and ensuring the next generation of leaders is equipped to navigate an ever-evolving business landscape.”

Professor Emma Johnston AO

Professor Emma Johnston is currently serving as the 21st Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne.

A distinguished researcher of marine environments, Professor Johnston has held multiple senior academic leadership positions at Australian Group of Eight universities, including as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Sydney and Dean of Science at the University of New South Wales.

An influential figure in the Australian higher education and research sector, Professor Johnston is a prominent advocate for science and technology. She is co-chief author of the 2021 Australian Government’s State of the Environment report, and served as a past President of Science & Technology Australia, Director on the Board of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Director of the Sydney Harbour Research Program at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science.

Currently, Professor Johnston is a member of the CSIRO Board, governor of the Ian Potter Foundation, and an elected fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, and the Royal Society of New South Wales. Professor Johnston was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2018 for distinguished service to higher education, marine ecology and ecotoxicology, and to scientific institutes.

“I am delighted to join the Melbourne Business School board to work alongside respected business leaders and academics to ensure the next generation of leaders are equipped with the skills needed to face society’s challenges,” Professor Johnston said.

“The University is proud to be a part of the School and the contribution it makes in bringing evidence-based knowledge into the classroom and out into industry to benefit the broader community.”