Vanessa is a research psychologist and Director with 18 years of experience in the Australian Public Service (APS) across Defence and the Australian Public Service Commission. During her time at Defence, Vanessa led research covering military recruitment and retention, cultural reform, mental health, diversity, and organisational leadership. Since joining the APSC in 2021, she has held Director roles responsible for APS-wide workforce data reporting and research to inform APS workforce policies and strategies.

A 2024 Senate inquiry noted a need for research on whether menopausal symptoms may prompt women to reduce work hours, change job roles, forego promotion or leave work altogether. Vanessa’s research aims to explore this within the APS, and to uncover factors that may help workplaces to address this. She hopes that outcomes from her research will help the APS to maximise the potential of this experienced and important cohort.

Supervisor: Associate Professor Alessandra Capezio