Local leader named among state’s top public sector women

Gippsland Water managing director Sarah Cumming has been named among Victoria’s top 50 public sector women.

Ms Cumming’s contribution was formally recognised at the Institute of Public Administration Association’s fourth annual Top 50 Public Sector Women (Victoria) awards event this week.

“It’s humbling to be acknowledged alongside so many talented female colleagues and friends who I respect greatly,” Ms Cumming said.

Ms Cumming, an experienced lawyer and chief executive, was chosen to lead central Gippsland’s regional water corporation in 2017, following a series of successful senior posts in local and federal government.

“As a passionate Gippslander born and bred, what really drives me is the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to my community both now and for our future generations.

“I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunity to do that all levels of government, including in my current role with Gippsland Water,” Ms Cumming said.

Ms Cumming said she hoped her achievement would inspire other women in regional areas to aspire to senior leadership and Board positions.

“While we’re making strong progress, there’s still a great deal of work to be done before we achieve real gender equality at the executive level in the public sector.

“I hope this award goes some way to inspiring some of the many talented female leaders we have here in Gippsland to consider applying their skills and experience in a public sector career,” Ms Cumming concluded.

For more information about the 2020 IPAA Victoria top 50 public sector women list, visit https://www.vic.ipaa.org.au/top-50-public-sector-women-2020.