Susan Johnston heads the Governance and Leadership Program at The University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI).
Susan has previously been a company director on private, listed, and public sector boards; a senior executive in the minerals industry; and a senior public servant. She has a diverse background, however her principal areas of activity have been in the mining, health, energy, and construction sectors.
Susan has held a variety of resources sector leadership roles including as country head of safety and health, environment, sustainability, and external affairs for a major mining company; global head of commodity safety; chief executive of a mining industry association; and senior public servant and adviser to state and national governments on mining related issues.
Susan has also held several senior health roles including as chair of a statewide paediatric health service; and as a patient safety commissioner for Queensland, Australia. Susan has led major inquiries into safety in the mining industry and is frequently called upon to advise on how improvements in leadership and governance can enhance safety, and environmental, performance. She also provides mentoring to executives across a range of industries. Susan has qualifications in law, management, and journalism.