Vanessa Guthrie

Vanessa Ann Guthrie AO (born 24 January 1961) is an Australian businesswoman, known for her work as a company director in the resources sector, including three years as chair of the Minerals Council of Australia.^[1][2] In 2017 she was appointed to the board of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation by then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.^[3] She was elected Chancellor of Curtin University in 2024.

Career

Guthrie was CEO and director of Toro Energy Ltd., head of sustainable development at Alcoa World Alumina & Chemicals, and vice president of sustainable development at Woodside Energy before accepting a number of board roles.^[4]

Guthrie joined the board of the Minerals Council of Australia in 2014 and became chair in 2016, completing her three-year term in June 2019. Helen Coonan replaced her as chair.^[5]

Guthrie was appointed non-executive director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation for a five-year term commencing 23 February 2017;^[6][7] she resigned in March 2021.^[8] She has been a non-executive director of Santos Limited since 1 July 2017,^[9] of Adelaide Brighton Ltd since February 2018, of Tronox Holdings PLC since March 2019.^[10] In March 2019 Guthrie became a member of the Australia-India Council for a five-year term.^[6]

Guthrie has been deputy chair of the Western Australian Cricket Association since February 2016.^[11] She was co-opted to the Council of Curtin University for a three-year term from 1 April 2017.^[12] She has remained on Council since then and in April 2024 became Chancellor of the university.^[13]

Awards and recognition

• Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, 2015^[14]
• Honorary Doctor of Science, Curtin University, 2017^[15]
• Officer of the Order of Australia, Queen's Birthday Honours, 2021^[16]