Narelle Kennedy operates her own research and consulting company, The Kennedy Company Pty Ltd, providing business leaders and public policy makers with additional ‘brainpower’ and fresh perspectives to compete and prosper in fast-moving global business environments

Narelle Kennedy founded and led the pioneering, business-backed research think tank, the Australian Business Foundation as CEO for over 15 years. She established and built its body of research work and alliances with research partners, government, corporations and sponsors, and its efforts to translate and apply research intelligence in practical outreach programs for policy makers and business.

Narelle is Adjunct Professor with the School of Business at the University of Technology Sydney. This affiliation continues Narelle’s longstanding commitment to close collaboration, problem-solving and knowledge-sharing between the higher education sector and the business community. One of Australia’s thought leaders and a contributor to contemporary social and economic debates internationally, Narelle is a sought-after expert commentator on emerging business and innovation issues that impact on Australia’s future competitiveness, employment and prosperity.

Narelle Kennedy has a work history that spans boundaries, including in private enterprise, government and the not for profit sector around Australia. Narelle’s experience includes management of high-profile business units, enterprises and programs; senior policy analyst and adviser roles; and as manager of high-volume direct services to the public. Narelle has recognized expertise in both economic and social development issues, specifically on business regulation, trade practices and competition policy, regional development, industry clustering and business innovation.

Prior to leading the Australian Business Foundation as its CEO, Narelle Kennedy spent seven years as a senior Director in the executive leadership team of one of Australia’s leading and well-established Business Chambers, periodically acting as its Chief Executive. Narelle has served in various general manager roles in NSW and Victorian Government Departments, including holding the statutory position of Superintendent of Weights and Measures in NSW, the first female to do so.

Narelle is a Director on various Boards and Advisory Councils and has numerous affiliations in areas of leading-edge public and business affairs, such as with Chief Executive Women, the Australian Technology Showcase and the Enterprise Workshop program. She has represented Australia at the Business Advisory Committee to the OECD and served on the expert panel for the Review of Australia’s Innovation System in 2008.

Narelle has a first class Honours Degree in Social Studies from the University of Sydney, and was awarded a Centenary Medal in 2001 for service to Australian society through economic and industry policy research. Narelle was made a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia in the 2014 Australia Day Honours awards for significant service to business in Australia through a range of policy development and advisory roles.