Pro Vice Chancellor, Communications and Engagement

Dana Robertson

Dana joined Notre Dame in late 2024 bringing decades of experience from across federal government, diplomacy, strategic communication and journalism.

Before joining the University, she served in the Senior Executive Service of the Australian Public Service, leading strategic communications, media, speechwriting and digital at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Previously, Dana was a diplomat with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC during the Obama and Trump Administrations where she led Public Affairs. She has been a speechwriter for three Prime Ministers and multiple Foreign and Trade Ministers.

She has deep knowledge of government and public administration, corporate affairs and media relations.

She began her career as a journalist and was a political correspondent in the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery during the Howard, Rudd and Gillard governments where she covered multiple election campaigns and federal budgets; Prime Ministers’ international visits and engagement at international summits; and policy debates on issues as diverse as native title, climate change and national security.

She is a graduate of the University of Western Australia and Edith Cowan University.