What this executive learnt from working for Kerry Packer

What this executive learnt from working for Kerry Packer

From 15 Minutes with the Boss by The Australian Financial Review

May 11, 2026 · 21 min · Season 4 · Episode 15

About this episode

Mary Wooldridge discusses her experiences working for Kerry Packer and her transition to public policy.

Mary Wooldridge, the outgoing chief executive of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, worked for the media tycoon in the late 1990s.  While her time at Kerry Packer's company, Consolidated Press Holdings, taught her some invaluable skills, Wooldridge found it unmotivating. On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten finds out why the former politician traded a Packer deal-making role for public policy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Host: Sally Patten

Guest: Mary Wooldridge

Topics covered

  • leadership
  • gender equality
  • media industry
  • public policy
  • career transition

Keywords

  • Kerry Packer
  • Mary Wooldridge
  • Workplace Gender Equality
  • Consolidated Press Holdings
  • public policy
  • career change

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Workplace Gender Equality Agency, Consolidated Press Holdings

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