Irene is a highly experienced and successful senior executive and company director widely respected for her strategic, critical and innovative thinking. She is also known for her quick wit and keen sense of humour.

Over a diverse 30 year plus career Irene has worked in both the public and private sectors in Canberra and Melbourne in a variety of roles including lecturing, policy, operations management, sales, recruitment, public relations, government lobbying, marketing and business development. This included periods in a senior capacity for Deakin, Swinburne and Melbourne universities as well as CSIRO, the not for profit entity Interact Australia and the recruitment company Morgan and Banks. She currently operates a boutique consulting service I Irvine & Associates specialising in the education and not for profit sectors.

Irene holds and has held a number of directorships in both a voluntary and a paid capacity resulting in her becoming an experienced chairperson, board member and board reviewer. At the present time she is Chair of Phillip Island Nature Parks, a Director of State Trustees and the Australian Open Garden Scheme and a member of the Council of Melbourne Girls' College. Prior to this she served for ten years on the boards of Craft Victoria and Camberwell Girl's Grammar School and was the Deputy Chair of Zoos Victoria.

As a company director, former recruiter, manager and senior executive Irene is aware of the need for individuals to manage their own careers and passionate about helping people do so.

Irene's qualifications include a Ph D and a B Sc (1st Class Honours) as well as post graduate qualifications in education and management. She is a member and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of the Australian Institute of Management.