Kathy S Keele

Kathy Keele is chief executive officer of the Australia Council for the Arts.

Combining a wealth of business experience with a passion for the arts, Kathy previously worked in promoting private sector support for the arts in her role as chief executive officer of the Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF).

Prior to this, Kathy had a 30-year career in executive, marketing and corporate affairs roles with iconic Australian and international companies. She was executive general manager responsible for marketing and business development at Siemens Ltd Australia-New Zealand before joining AbaF. Kathy has also held senior executive roles in marketing and communications at Telstra Corporation, BHP Ltd and BHP Steel (now BlueScope Steel).

Kathy has served on the boards of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the Cabrini Institute for Research and Clinical Education, the BHP Foundation and Young Achievers Australia. She is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in languages and a Masters in Business Administration from Pacific Lutheran University, Seattle.