Sue Ash

Sue Ash AO began her career in the community services as a qualified social worker and has since worked in a diverse range of roles. She has worked for both state and Commonwealth government departments in WA and the ACT, as a social worker and in executive positions.

Ms Ash has lectured in social work at Curtin University, Edith Cowan University and at TAFE; and has been executive director of Wanslea Family Services. As executive officer of the WA Council of Social Services, she has been a leader in social and political analysis, policy development and advocacy on behalf of the community services sector.

She has also been on a number of national boards including being a foundation member of the Families Australia Board, president of the Association of Services Supporting Australian Families and WACOSS, and a board member of Child and Family Welfare Agencies Association and ACOSS.

Ms Ash has been working with the Department of Premier and the Cabinet as a special advisor during the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2021, she was appointed independent chair of WA government's newly-formed quarantine advisory panel which will provide the Department of Health with advice on Western Australia’s quarantine system.

Ms Ash was a state category winner and national finalist of the 1999 Telstra Business Woman of the Year Awards, and joint winner of the 2012 IPAAWA Not for Profit Leader of the Year award. In 2014, she was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia for services to community and public policy.

Ms Ash is a member of Australian Institute of Management, the Committee of Economic Development of Australia, and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is also a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia.