About us

Kerryn Newton
LLM, MBA, MA, FAICD, AFAIM
Managing Director

The Managing Director of Directors Australia, Kerryn Newton, has Masters qualifications in Law, Business Administration and Arts (International Studies). Kerryn also holds a Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia, as well as being a graduate of the Company Directors’ Course of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Kerryn has extensive experience working in high level positions in the private, public, non-profit and community sectors and as a consultant to organisations in a range of industry sectors.

Kerryn is an experienced director herself having held positions on the boards of various private, non-profit, community and government organisations. Kerryn is currently: a director of ENERGEX, a Queensland Government Owned Corporation; Chair of 4Walls Ltd, a community housing provider; and a Commissioner of the Queensland Gaming Commission.

Through her various professional roles, memberships and networks, Kerryn maintains a high level, working knowledge of best practice and developments in corporate governance.

Carolyn Penklis
BA, MAICD
Recruitment Manager

The recruitment division of Directors Australia is led by Carolyn Penklis, Recruitment Manager.

Carolyn has extensive experience in providing specialist recruitment services across a range of industry sectors. Having been a senior executive with a leading national recruitment firm for many years, Carolyn draws on her considerable recruitment and management experience in her work for Directors Australia. She has worked closely with organisations in the public, private, not-for-profit and community sectors.

More recently Carolyn has been involved in specialised recruitment consultancy for senior and directorial appointments. Working together with organisations, Carolyn delivers a tailored recruitment service to address client’s needs and market issues.

Carolyn is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and brings an exceptional level of professionalism to her work with boards to source candidates with the right skills, knowledge, experience and attributes to meet the specific needs of individual boards.

Specialist consultants and associates

A range of consultants and associated firms assist Directors Australia on specific projects. All consultants who work with Directors Australia have specialist professional qualifications, extensive experience working with boards, and operate with the utmost discretion and confidentiality in providing forthright and objective advice.