MBA, MProjMgt, GradDipRiskMgt, GradCertMgtSys, GAICD, FAIM, BA
At St Margaret’s 1996 – 2000
Penelope Twemlow is a Director of Transformation Assurance with PwC (PriceWaterhouseCoopers) and a Co-Founder and Chairperson of Women in Power - a NFP organisation created to advance and empower women in industry. She has forged a successful career in strategic and operational management, program and risk management, and governance and compliance.
After graduating from St Margaret’s, Penelope joined the Royal Australian Navy undertaking the roles of Warfare Officer and Military Police Investigator. During her 10 1/2 years of permanent service in the Navy, Penelope held strategic level positions in project, human resource, risk and emergency management, as well as being a member of the Australian Defence Force Investigative Service. She can also boast the ability to drive an 8,500 tonne armed warship. Penelope continues to provide Reserve service to the Defence Forces.
Penelope later held the position of Chief Executive Officer and Principal Consultant of General Manager Pty Ltd, providing services for national and international clients in the government sector, mining and resources, oil and gas, public utilities, transport and civil construction as a consultant.
In 2015, she was appointed the Chief Executive Officer of Energy Skills Queensland, a not-for-profit organisation working in the electrotechnology, telecommunications, mining, gas, energy and rail sectors nationally. During this tenure, Penelope was a national representative for industry in matters pertaining to training and skilling, and workforce planning and development.
In addition to her current roles, Penelope is also a sought-after speaker. She is a Social Entrepreneur in Residence at Griffith University and a Director of DEFGLIS (Defence Gay and Lesbian Information Service). She is a former Director on the Board of Durack College and a previous member of the Department of Veterans Affairs Women and Children United by Defence Service Committee. She is a national Ambassador for various mental health, domestic violence and veteran-services organisations, and an active and proud ally to the LGBTIQ+ community.
Penelope has been the recipient of several awards including being named the 2016 Queensland Telstra Business Women's Award winner for Social Enterprise and Not-For-Profit and 2017 APAC CEO of the year. She is also the winner of four separate categories in the national Women in Industry Awards, the 2022 winner of the Women in Defence People and Culture Award and 2023 ACT Woman of the Year finalist.
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