Romilly Madew AO FTSE HonFIEAust
Chief Executive Officer | Engineers Australia
"To achieve change across the transport and infrastructure industry it really gets down to culture, collaboration, innovation, problem solving, best practice and benchmarking."
Current positions
- Chair, IFM Australian Infrastructure Investor Advisory Committee
- Chair, UNSW Institute of Industrial Decarbonisation IAC
- Federal Government appointee, G20 EMPOWER - Empowerment and Progression of Women's Economic Representation
- Board Member, Placemaking NSW (NSW Government)
- Independent Chair, Currawong State Park Advisory Committee (Northern Beaches Council and NSW Government)
- Member, Infrastructure Net Zero Steering Committee
- Member of the STEM & Health Champions of Change committee – Engineers Australia representative
- Member, Infrastructure Forum, Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering (ATSE)
- Member, Institution of Civil Engineers UK, Enabling Better Infrastructure Working Group
- Co-Founder and Ambassador, Minerva Network (supporting Australia’s elite sportswomen)
- Member, Chief Executive Women
Previous positions
- Member, National Women in Transport CEO Advisory Group
- Board member, Minerva Network
- Member, Federal Government, Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Committee
- Board Member, Sydney Olympic Park, and Chair of the Parklands Advisory Committee (NSW Government)
- Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Australia
- Chief Executive Officer, Green Building Council of Australia
- Executive Director ACT and Sustainability, Property Council of Australia
- National Client Relationship Manager, King & Wood Mallesons
- National Order Manager, Link Telecommunications (BellSouth)
- Joint Owner, Madew Wines
- Member, Northern Australia Infrastructure Roundtable
- Chair, Australian Infrastructure Bodies CEO Network
- Co Chair, International Infrastructure Bodies Forum
- Chair, Cross Jurisdictional Meeting
- Member, Federal Government’s Significant Projects Infrastructure Delivery Office
- Member, Northern Australia Infrastructure Roundtable
- Member, Developing Northern Australia Conference Committee
- Member, Infrastructure Forum, Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering
- Member, Design Excellence Advisory Committee, City of Melbourne
- Commissioner, NT Government, Territory Economic Reconstruction Committee
- Board Member, Chief Executive Women
- Board Member, Sydney Olympic Park Authority
- Board Member, World Green Building Council
- Director, Land Development Agency, ACT
- Board Member, Canberra Tourism and Events Corporation
Career snapshot
Romilly Madew AO FTSE HonFIEAust is the Chief Executive Officer of Engineers Australia, the peak body for the engineering profession in Australia, constituted by a Royal Charter to advance the science and practice of engineering for the benefit of the community. With over 135,000 members nationally, it represents a profession that impacts the lives of Australians every day.
Prior to joining Engineers Australia, Romilly was Chief Executive Officer of Infrastructure Australia, a Federal Government Agency within the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications which provides research and advice to governments, industry and the community on the infrastructure investments and reforms that will benefit all Australians.
Romilly was awarded an Order of Australia in early 2019 in acknowledgment of her contribution to Australia’s sustainable building movement. She is recognised globally as a leader and advocate for change in the property and construction sector and is a vocal champion of diversity, Indigenous engagement, flexibility in the workplace, and women in sport. Romilly is active in Surf Life Saving and supporting Australia’s elite sportswomen through the Minerva Network, which she co-founded.
In her own words
Early in my career, I discovered the power of diversity within committees, Boards and across organisations and the disadvantage of groupthink when teams lack varied perspectives. At the Green Building Council of Australia, we undertook a lot of work creating a safe space to allow diversity of thought, recognising each team member’s strengths and learning to really listen, especially to the quiet people. This approach delivered better outcomes through respectful challenge and inclusive participation.
I've learnt to pursue roles that align with my core values: listening to diverse voices, building exceptional teams, fostering enduring relationships, and delivering outcomes with broad community impact. I want my expertise and energy to help build a sustainable world and each of my executive roles have allowed me to this in extremely tangible ways.
Cast out the net
Winning the Australian Telstra Business Women’s Award in 2009 (Community and Government) was a defining moment in my career. The award helped both my career trajectory but also helped me recognise my responsibility to create opportunities for other women. I realised women don't need a ladder thrown down; we need to cast out a net.
This commitment to driving change became central to my leadership and was recognised when Engineers Australia appointed me as their first non-engineer CEO in 2022. Engineers are the nation's problem solvers with enduring legacies, and I'm proud to lead this profession.
Another career milestone was helping establish the Champions of Change Property group in 2015. So much change has been driven from that program of work and industry leadership. When I started in property you could count the number of senior women leaders on two hands, whereas now there are so many women in so many leadership roles across property and construction.
As Engineers Australia's representative on the Champions of Change STEM Group, I'm excited to continue building workforce diversity and ensuring our industry welcomes all community members.
Welcoming differences
When I joined the infrastructure and transport from property and construction, I initially experienced imposter syndrome. However, the industry welcomed me with open arms. People eagerly shared their expertise and celebrated the fresh perspectives I brought from outside the sector. What continues to excite me is the constant cross-industry engagement and collaborative spirit.
My vision for the next five years is…
…there is a collaborative taskforce linking up the great work being done in all the states and territories to really turn the dial up on diversity and inclusion across the industry. There is a lot of passionate people doing great work and we need to learn and share together within a forum to drive change.