The University of Sydney welcomes Shirley Chowdhary as the newest member of its Senate, appointed by the NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education as an external fellow. Ms Chowdhary has been appointed for a four-year term, commencing on 1 December 2025. 

Ms Chowdhary, an external member of the University Senate’s People and Culture Committee since 2024, is a highly accomplished leader with a distinguished career spanning law, governance, education and social impact. She has worked across North America, Asia, Europe and Africa, and has deep leadership experience in financial services and corporate law, as well as in the not-for-profit sector as chief executive of the GO Foundation from 2016 to 2021.

The University of Sydney’s Chancellor, David Thodey AO, said he was delighted by the appointment.

“The entire Senate team is excited to have the opportunity to work alongside Shirley as we continue to support the University in delivering academic excellence, research that addresses the world’s most pressing challenges, and a transformational student experience,” the Chancellor said. 

“She is passionate about promoting educational opportunities, as seen through her leadership of national initiatives supporting Indigenous students and her contributions to equitable access to education for diverse cohorts.”

Ms Chowdhary holds a number of degrees from the University of Sydney, as well as the University of NSW. 

A Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), she is currently Chair of Women for Election, a politically neutral not-for-profit organisation that seeks to improve representation and democracy by equipping women to enter local, state and federal politics. 

She also sits on the advisory boards of Mentor Walks, a mentoring organisation for more than 13,000 women in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Dubai and Canada, and Propel Group (Australia), a professional services firm that supports boards to manage their digital reputation. She is a member of faculty at the AICD, and part of the 2025 cohort of the AICD Chair’s Mentoring Program.

Her previous board-level roles include being chair of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, deputy chair of YMCA NSW, a non-executive director at the Australian Associated Press, and non-executive director of Northrop Engineering Consultants.

In recognition of her immense contributions and impact, the Australian Financial Review named Ms Chowdhary one of the 100 Women of Influence in 2019. In recognition of her achievements and leadership across industries and advocacy for the advancement of Indigenous education and gender equality, she received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University in 2024.

Ms Chowdhary will also chair Senate’s People and Culture Committee and become a member of the Nominations Committee and the Honorary Awards Committee. 

Her appointment follows Richard Freudenstein’s decision not to seek re-appointment as a Fellow of Senate after eight years, including serving as Deputy Chancellor for two terms.

“Richard’s contribution to the University has been deeply valued and he will be greatly missed,” Mr Thodey said. 

“He has been a trusted colleague and a steady presence on the Senate, offering wise counsel to me and to my predecessor as Chancellor, Belinda Hutchinson.”