Carol has been recognised for her leadership via a range of honours including her 2019 appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia, an Honorary Doctorate from Monash University, induction into the Australia Property Hall of Fame, and a Centenary Medal. Carol was also named one of Australia’s most influential women in the Australian Financial Review and Westpac’s Inaugural 100 Women of Influence Awards and inducted into the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll. In November 2020 Carol was recognised with the nation’s highest philanthropic honour, the ‘Leading Philanthropist’ Award by Philanthropy Australia.
Carol has chaired and participated in numerous listed and private company boards, and has also chaired major government boards and conducted significant inquiries on behalf of government. Carol’s current board roles include the Reserve Bank of Australia, EQT Holdings Limited and Trawalla Group.
Throughout her career Carol has been a passionate advocate for women in leadership, particularly in business, politics and the media. As Chair of the Trawalla Foundation and the Women’s Leadership Institute Australia, she has catalysed a range of practical solutions, including the Pathways to Politics Program for Women, the Panel Pledge, and the Women for Media database. Carol is also the Founding Chair of Our Community, a member of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Women’s Leadership Board, and the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership Advisory Board, Kings College.
Chair EQT Holdings Limited
Non-Executive Director Reserve Bank of Australia
Non-Executive Director Trawalla Group
Chair Women’s Leadership Institute Australia
Chair Our Community
Established in 2004 as a vehicle for the philanthropic activities of the Schwartz family.
The Trawalla Foundation invests in exceptional individuals and organisations focused on strengthening gender equality, creativity, sustainability and social justice within our society.
We are active funding partners, adopting a range of levers including grants, investments, skills, networks and advocacy, to catalyse and strengthen the work undertaken.
Learn more about Trawalla Foundation, visit their website:
CEO appointments – 21 women who made CEO in July 2022 | Business Chief North America businesschief.com/leadership-…
Three reasons why women leaders actually matter for women | PS News @rvijeyarasa @WLIAus @CEWAus psnews.com.au/2022/08/15/thr…
Childcare and women’s participation loom as key issues at jobs summit smh.com.au/politics/feder…
If pictures send powerful messages, the Liberal Party's 'sea of men' speaks volumes @Pathways_UoM @WLIAus @MargaretSheil abc.net.au/news/2022-08-1…
We are proud to share #PathwaysToPolitics has launched today in the Northern Territory at @CDUni @cdu_ni, helping more women pursue public office. Apply today or tap a friend on the shoulder➡️ pathwaystopolitics.org.au pathwaystopolitics.org.au/202…
The #pathwaystopoliticsforwomen program is having huge success nationally. We’re thrilled to now be offering the program in partnership with the fabulous Charles Darwin University. Women in the #NT please apply! @WLIAus @Pathways_UoM @MargaretSheil twitter.com/unwomenaust/st…
Why Invest In Women? Why Not. forbes.com/sites/deepteej…
Lean out: Lessons from corporate feminism backlash - The Big Smoke thebigsmoke.com.au/2022/08/02… @corporatefox at her best!!!!! the reference to @rvijeyarasa work is so on point!!! @WLIAus @AnnikaFreyer @CEWAus
“…women heads of government tended to promote more women into their ministries than their male peers, they are often more likely to legislate and establish laws in the interests of women, and they act as role models and break the norm of male power” thebigsmoke.com.au/2022/08/02…
Media statements - Report card shows women workforce participation at record highs mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pag…
‘No money, no pension, no savings’: how caring for others has left women in a state of precarity | Guardian readers | The Guardian theguardian.com/commentisfree…
Please contact Carol’s EA, Lara at:
Please note that the Trawalla Foundation is a Private Ancillary Fund, which does not solicit funding requests from the public or have grant rounds. Should you wish to contact the Trawalla Foundation, please contact Sarah Buckley, our Executive Officer on sarah@trawallafoundation.com.au
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.