Joanna McCarthy GAICD

C-Suite I Strategic Communications I Brand Marketing I Investor Relations I Stakeholder Engagement I Risk, Crisis & Issues Management I Board Member

Greater Sydney Area

About

Advisor to Boards and CEOs and a global award-winning strategic communications leader. I bring 20+ years’ experience shaping reputation and strengthening stakeholder confidence while building enterprise resilience across global organisations, government, and ASX-listed/public organisations. I have deep expertise in governance, risk and reputation oversight. Trusted by Boards and CEOs through transformation, public scrutiny and crisis. Forward-looking thinker who leverages deep cross-sector experience and strong networks to deliver clarity, alignment and measurable impact.

Experience

  • Asia Pacific Communications Lead at Russell Investments
    Feb 2026 - Present · 6 mos

    Key liaison role supporting the APAC CEO and leadership team and reporting to the US based Global Communications Director. Role is responsible for developing and executing an integrated communications strategy across APAC (Japan, Australia/NZ, and Southeast Asia) that's aligned with global priorities and regional needs. Senior advisor to regional business leaders and spokespeople on key messaging, media, communications planning, and stakeholder engagement.

  • Board Member at Manly Marlins Rugby Club
    Oct 2025 - Present · 10 mos

  • Consulting and Board Advisory at Freelance
    Aug 2025 - Present · 1 yr

    I provide advice drawn from a career built on developing and managing strategy, corporate affairs, risk, culture improvements, marcomms and crisis and issues. This is underpinned by relevant study including the Australian Institute of Company Directors Company Directors course, the Corporate Affairs Development Institute at Melbourne Business School, and in a PRIA accredited degree with a double major in Politics and Journalism. Recent works include advising an ASX listed manufacturer through CEO transition and FY25 results.

  • Group Director Marketing & Communications / Member of the Group Executive at GoZero. Group
    Mar 2024 - Aug 2025 · 1 yr 6 mos

    Advisor to Chair and Group Managing Director, core member of Group Executive Team contributing to corporate decision-making and P&L accountability. Two divisions: Zero-emission transport manufacturing and NSW’s largest private charter company. Led all group internal and external marketing and communications.

  • Senior Director at Morrow Sodali
    Nov 2022 - Feb 2024 · 1 yr 4 mos

    More and more, corporations are seeking advice and assistance across a wide array of areas covering stakeholder engagement, crisis and issues management, shareholder communication, capital markets intelligence, corporate governance and ESG advisory. There is a definite growing need for an end-to-end offering across the financial calendar and increasingly complex event driven activity where good communication is paramount. That’s what we offer. As a Senior Director I draw on my years of experience helping protect and positively promote organisations to advise a portfolio of clients. My specialty areas include crisis and issues management, external communications, brand and cyber response including helping companies be cyber prepared and responding to cyber incidents. I am the member representative for the Australian Cyber Security Centre Partner Program. Recent work includes development of top 200 ASX organisations' cyber plans, Financial Services cyber attack response, successful mitigation of shareholder activist campaign, proactive PR planning for repositioning company narrative and engagement of top 4 Australian bank.