Jane Burns, PhD (Medicine), BA HONS (Psych), GAICD

Jane Burns is a distinguished C-Suite Executive with over 20 years of experience across the NGO, industry, government, and university sectors. She is a leading international expert in mental health and wellbeing, suicide prevention, digital transformation, and integrated models of workforce wellbeing. Jane’s work is deeply rooted in co-design, and she has championed the inclusion of people with lived experiences in strategic planning throughout her career.

Her notable leadership roles include serving as an Executive at beyondblue: the national depression initiative, the Inspire Foundation, the Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre, Safer Care Victoria and for the last four years as Acting CEO for the Well and Productive CRC. Jane is dedicated to integrating the voices of individuals with lived experiences into the core strategies of these organizations. Jane was Chair of Open Arms – the Veterans Families Counselling Service and served on the Board of the National Disability Insurance Agency.

Jane is a sought-after international keynote speaker and has authored over 100 papers and policy reports.

She has received numerous accolades, including the 2015 Australian Financial Review Social Enterprise Award, recognition as one of the Westpac Group 100 Women of Influence, and was a Victorian Finalist at the Telstra BusinessWomen’s Awards in 2012 and 2017.

She serves as a Non-Executive Director with the Applied Positive Psychology Learning Institute and is the Chair of
Emotions.

Outside her professional life, Jane is a devoted mother to three children—Angus, Holly, and Harry. Her son Angus lives with Down syndrome, Autism, and is non-verbal, which has further fuelled her commitment to inclusive and empathetic care.