Mary Foley

Professor Mary Foley AM FTSE has a distinguished career in the health sector, holding leadership positions in state government and national roles, the private sector and not-for-profit organisations. Professor Foley was Managing Director of Telstra Health from 2017 to 2022, before stepping down from full-time executive roles.

Prior to joining Telstra Health, Mary was Director General and Secretary of NSW Health for a five-year term. She has also previously held roles as National Health Practice Leader for PwC Australia, Chief Executive of St Vincent’s and Mater Health Sydney, and a senior executive of a major listed Australian healthcare company.

Mary is a Board Director of Telstra Health and of Chris O’Brien Lifehouse Hospital; Adjunct Professor at the School of Science and Health at Western Sydney University. Chair of the Central Coast Research Institute for Integrated Care, and a Member of Chief Executive Women. Mary has previously served as Deputy Chancellor of Western Sydney University, a Director of the National eHealth Transition Authority, Deputy Chair of the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council and Board Director of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and of Research Australia.

Mary was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for her contribution to public administration in health and education (2016), received the Centenary Medal from the Federal Government for her business leadership in the private sector, is a former Telstra NSW Business Woman of the Year. received the national award of Digital Woman Executive Leader in 2021. She is also a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Digital Health and has an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Western Sydney.