Catherine Wilkinson

Dr Catherine Wilkinson is CEO of the Small Giants Academy and a sustainability and resilience leader with over 25 years’ experience in Australia, Sweden, and internationally. She has held CEO, advisory, academic, and senior public service roles, driving systems change across land use, transport, water planning, and environmental policy. In the Victorian public sector, she led integrated planning to guide multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investment and served as CEO of the Environment Protection Authority, where she oversaw the design and implementation of world-leading preventative environmental legislation.

Earlier in her career, Catherine was CEO of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation. From 2006 to 2013, she was based in Luleå, Sweden, working with the Stockholm Resilience Centre and consulting to governments across Europe. During this time, she contributed to major international collaborations including the UN-Habitat program, Arctic Council, African Centre for Cities, and the Rockefeller Foundation.

Catherine holds a PhD in urban resilience and is an internationally recognised expert in sustainability, resilience, strategic planning, and community engagement. Her leadership approach is also shaped by her experience as a member of the Australian Women’s Ice Hockey team, including competing at two world championships.