Australian Catholic University Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Australian Catholic University has 7 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial management, marketing, operational efficiency, corporate governance, human resources, and academic leadership.

Committed to fostering social responsibility and academic excellence, Australian Catholic University empowers students through innovative research and diverse educational programs across health, law, and business sectors.

Leadership Roles at Australian Catholic University

  • Chief Financial Officer - Petrus Swemmer
  • Service Improvement Coordinator & Chief Operating Officer, Office of - Laura Hooper
  • Deputy Vice Chancellor (Corporate) & Chief Operating Officer - Patrick Woods
  • Vice-Chancellor and President - Zlatko Skrbis
  • Chief of Staff - Margriet Wooldridge
  • Chief Marketing Officer & External Relations Director, Marketing - Kathryn Vozella
  • Chief People Officer - Angelle Laurence
  • Petrus Swemmer - Chief Financial Officer

    Petrus Swemmer, the Chief Financial Officer at Australian Catholic University, directs all fiscal planning, budgeting, and financial reporting activities. Overseeing the university's capital allocation, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the institution maintains a robust economic foundation to support research and teaching excellence. Swemmer manages complex financial portfolios, balancing the needs of diverse academic programs with long-term sustainability goals. This leadership role involves rigorous oversight of institutional investments and revenue streams across the Australian market. By implementing advanced financial modeling, Petrus Swemmer directly impacts the university's capacity to expand its health sciences and business offerings. The Chief Financial Officer collaborates with the Board to ensure transparency and compliance in all fiscal matters. Ultimately, Swemmer secures the financial health required to foster a community dedicated to social responsibility and high-impact education.

    Laura Hooper - Service Improvement Coordinator & Chief Operating Officer, Office of

    Laura Hooper, the Service Improvement Coordinator & Chief Operating Officer, Office of at Australian Catholic University, directs internal process optimization and operational service delivery. Overseeing the refinement of administrative workflows, the Service Improvement Coordinator & Chief Operating Officer, Office of ensures that student-facing services meet high standards of efficiency and accessibility. Hooper manages the integration of new service models across various campus departments, focusing on enhancing the overall user experience for the university community. This leadership role involves analyzing operational data to identify bottlenecks and implementing scalable solutions. By streamlining service delivery, Laura Hooper directly impacts the university's ability to support diverse student needs. The Service Improvement Coordinator & Chief Operating Officer, Office of collaborates with academic leaders to ensure that operational support aligns with the institution's educational mission. Ultimately, Hooper secures operational excellence through continuous improvement and strategic resource management.

    Patrick Woods - Deputy Vice Chancellor (Corporate) & Chief Operating Officer

    Patrick Woods, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Corporate) & Chief Operating Officer at Australian Catholic University, directs the institution's corporate infrastructure and large-scale operational strategy. Overseeing campus facilities, information technology, and administrative systems, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Corporate) & Chief Operating Officer ensures that the university's physical and digital environments support academic success. Woods manages complex organizational change initiatives, aligning corporate functions with the university's long-term research and teaching goals. This leadership role involves coordinating with the executive team to optimize resource allocation across all regional operations. By driving infrastructure development, Patrick Woods directly impacts the university's capacity to deliver high-quality education in health sciences and business. The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Corporate) & Chief Operating Officer maintains a focus on sustainable growth and operational resilience. Ultimately, Woods secures the foundational support necessary for the university to achieve its mission of social impact.
    Patrick Woods

    Zlatko Skrbis - Vice-Chancellor and President

    Zlatko Skrbis, the Vice-Chancellor and President at Australian Catholic University, directs the overall strategic vision and academic leadership of the institution. Overseeing the university's research agenda and educational programs, the Vice-Chancellor and President ensures that the institution remains at the forefront of innovation in health sciences, law, and business. Skrbis manages relationships with the Board, government bodies, and international partners to advance the university's global standing. This leadership role involves setting the tone for the institution's commitment to faith, inclusivity, and social responsibility. By championing academic excellence, Zlatko Skrbis directly impacts the university's ability to empower students to make a positive societal impact. The Vice-Chancellor and President coordinates with the executive team to ensure alignment across all departments. Ultimately, Skrbis secures the long-term success and reputation of the university through visionary leadership and strategic oversight.

    Margriet Wooldridge - Chief of Staff

    Margriet Wooldridge, the Chief of Staff at Australian Catholic University, manages high-level strategic initiatives and coordinates cross-departmental workflows. By aligning executive priorities with the broader institutional mission, the Chief of Staff ensures seamless communication between the Vice-Chancellor and various academic divisions. Wooldridge facilitates complex project management across the university, driving operational cohesion within the North Sydney headquarters and regional campuses. This leadership role involves synthesizing data from diverse research and education departments to support informed decision-making. By optimizing internal processes, Margriet Wooldridge directly impacts the efficiency of the university's administrative framework. The Chief of Staff maintains rigorous standards for institutional governance, ensuring that all strategic objectives align with the core values of faith and inclusivity. Through proactive engagement with the senior leadership team, the Chief of Staff secures the long-term stability of the university's administrative operations.

    Kathryn Vozella - Chief Marketing Officer & External Relations Director, Marketing

    Kathryn Vozella, the Chief Marketing Officer & External Relations Director, Marketing at Australian Catholic University, architects the brand strategy and external engagement initiatives. Overseeing global recruitment campaigns and public relations, the Chief Marketing Officer & External Relations Director, Marketing ensures the institution maintains a strong reputation among domestic and international students. Vozella drives digital transformation in marketing outreach, connecting the university's research impact with broader societal needs. This leadership role involves managing complex stakeholder relationships and enhancing the visibility of academic programs in law and education. By optimizing communication channels, Kathryn Vozella directly impacts student enrollment and institutional growth. The Chief Marketing Officer & External Relations Director, Marketing aligns promotional efforts with the university's commitment to inclusivity and faith-based values. Ultimately, Vozella secures a competitive market position through strategic brand positioning and community-focused outreach.
    Kathryn Vozella

    Angelle Laurence - Chief People Officer

    Angelle Laurence, the Chief People Officer at Australian Catholic University, directs human capital strategy, talent acquisition, and organizational culture development. Overseeing workforce planning and employee engagement, the Chief People Officer ensures that the university attracts and retains top-tier academic and professional staff. Laurence manages complex labor relations and professional development programs, fostering an environment that values inclusivity and social responsibility. This leadership role involves aligning human resources policies with the institution's commitment to excellence in research and education. By optimizing talent management, Angelle Laurence directly impacts the university's ability to innovate and serve its diverse student body. The Chief People Officer collaborates with the senior leadership team to cultivate a supportive and high-performing workplace culture. Ultimately, Laurence secures the human capital necessary to drive the university's mission forward through effective leadership and staff development.
    Angelle Laurence

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Australian Catholic University Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Australian Catholic University?
    Australian Catholic University is led by Petrus Swemmer (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Laura Hooper (Service Improvement Coordinator & Chief Operating Officer, Office of) and Patrick Woods (Deputy Vice Chancellor (Corporate) & Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Australian Catholic University’s executive team?
    The executive team of Australian Catholic University includes leaders such as Petrus Swemmer (Chief Financial Officer), Laura Hooper (Service Improvement Coordinator & Chief Operating Officer, Office of), Patrick Woods (Deputy Vice Chancellor (Corporate) & Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Australian Catholic University have?
    Australian Catholic University has 7 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Australian Catholic University’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Australian Catholic University includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Service Improvement Coordinator & Chief Operating Officer, Office of, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Corporate) & Chief Operating Officer, Vice-Chancellor and President, Chief of Staff.