Cath Smith is an experienced organisational consultant and non-executive director with 40 years’ experience working with NGOs across environmental and climate advocacy, international development, and social issues in Australia. She ran the Victorian Council of Social Service from 2002 to 2012 with special interests in health & community sector funding models, climate risk & social equity and human rights. She has worked extensively with intersectional issues and organisations, including women’s health, LGBTIQA+-led organisations and disability advocacy. Cath was a Trustee Director of HESTA Superannuation Board of Trustees from 2015 to 2025 where she chaired the Risk Committee and a Director on the Australian Communities Foundation from 2014 to 2023 where she chaired the inaugural Philanthropy & Impact Committee. She is currently a Trustee Director of Utilities Trust of Australia, where she chairs the ESG Committee.
Cath has a Masters in Strategic Foresight, an honours degree in Natural Environmental Science and advanced qualifications in governance from the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees. As Principal of Changesmith Consulting since 2014, she has run hundreds of strategic planning and organisational development projects, including support to Boards to strengthen purpose-led governance.
