Gail McGowan PSM

Gail was the inaugural Director General of the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage and had a distinguished career as a government leader and policy advisor at both State and National levels over three decades.

Following her ‘retirement’ in 2021 she became Chair of the WA Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority and a Director of the Mid West Ports Authority. In 2023 she was appointed as the first female Chancellor of Murdoch University. Gail is also a Director of Foundation Housing, Chair of the Western Australian Cricket Association and a member of the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council.

Gail was awarded a Public Service Medal in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday honours for her outstanding public service to Western Australia. She also received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Murdoch University in 2019 to recognise her career achievements and demonstrated leadership qualities. In 2021 Gail was acknowledged as Leader of the Year in State or Federal Government at the Institute of Public Administration (WA) Awards and in 2024 she received the Institute of Public Administration (WA) Patron’s award.