Empowering Female Leaders: Pathways to Leadership

Jean has held the role of CEO, Senior Executive and Board Director for the past 30 years in a range of private and NFP companies.

Since 2016 Jean has concentrated on board work and is currently Chairman of COTA Queensland (Council on the Ageing), board director for Coast2Bay Housing and a member of the Queensland Gambling Benefit Fund.

Over the last five years she has also held the roles of Chairman of Excelcare, director Purpose Real Estate and Director LiveBetter Services.

Her recent management career covered roles as CEO of the Central Highlands Medicare Local and General Manager of Focus Health based on the Sunshine Coast.  Both companies provided mental health, physical health, Indigenous Health and drug and alcohol services in addition to health planning, preventative health promotion and community development.

Professor Cindy Shannon is a descendent of the Ngugi people from Moreton Bay. She is an Emeritus Professor with the University of Queensland and was the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) at the University of Queensland from 2011-2017 and Director of its Poche Centre for Indigenous Health. Prior to that she led the development and implementation of Australia’s first degree level program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers. Cindy has led major reforms in Indigenous health and played a key role is supporting the establishment of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health in supporting South-East Queensland.

Professor Shannon has contributed to Indigenous health and education policy in Queensland and nationally. She served on the Council of NHMRC from 2005-12 and is currently the Chair of the Queensland Ministerial Advisory Committee on Sexual Health, Co-Patron of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation and sits on a number of not-for profit boards. Most recently she was appointed Chair of the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Board in April 2024.

In 2017, Professor Shannon was recognised as a Queensland Great for contributions to Indigenous Health and Education and in 2020 was made a Member of the Order of Australia (in general division) for contributions to Medical Education and Indigenous Health. Professor Shannon was awarded the AMA Queensland Excellence in Health Care medal in 2022.

Noelle Cridland oversees the operation of our Hospital and Health Service.

In this role, she:

• leads a staff of more than 20,000 people across hospitals, community centres and in home settings
• manages a yearly budget of more than $3.7 billion
• works with the Metro South Health Board and Executive to plan for the health service’s future.

Noelle is a passionate and dynamic leader who strives to create a positive healthcare experience for everyone in the community.

She knows the value of a strong, resilient and capable workforce. She aims to create a positive culture and improve the wellbeing of staff.

One of Noelle’s priorities is health equity for everyone in the Metro South region. She listens to the voices of First Nations peoples and people from diverse backgrounds.

Noelle previously worked in clinical, training and leadership positions across Queensland Health.

She’s a registered nurse and midwife and holds a Master of Nursing (Leadership).

Dr Robyn Littlewood is the CEO of Health and Wellbeing Queensland, the state’s prevention agency committed to fostering a healthier and more equitable Queensland.

With over 25 years of experience in clinical care, research and education, Dr Littlewood has made significant contributions to paediatric healthcare. Dr Littlewood is a published author with over 100 publications and has recently released her first book on health and wellbeing for Queensland. She has trained hundreds of students over two decades of frontline service.

Leveraging a systems-based and collaborative approach, Dr Littlewood continues to drive research and data outcomes in the area of health and wellbeing. Dr Littlewood leads a dedicated team focused on making healthy happen for all Queenslanders, with a particular focus on improving health outcomes for our next generation.

Dr Littlewood holds a raft of formal qualifications including a Bachelor of Science and Postgraduate Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics, a Master of Medical Science, a Masters of Business Administration and a PhD. Dr Littlewood has also completed a number of postgraduate qualifications in executive leadership and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Dr Littlewood holds Adjunct Professor appointments from UQ, QUT and Griffith universities, has been awarded Fellow of Dietitians Australia, the Barbara Chester Award and QUT Health Alumni of the year in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the dietetics profession