The Honourable Kerry Gaye Sanderson AC

2014 – 2018

The Honourable Kerry Sanderson AC was installed as the 32nd Governor and the first female governor of Western Australia on 20th October 2014.

Mrs Sanderson was born in Western Australia and educated at Wembley Primary School and Churchlands Senior High School. She graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Science, with a double major in mathematics, and later with a Bachelor of Economics.

After university, Mrs Sanderson went on to hold senior executive roles at the Western Australian Treasury and the Department of Transport.

Following this, Mrs Sanderson was appointed the Chief Executive Officer of Fremantle Ports (1991 – 2008) and helped the organisation achieve the prestigious Australian Business Excellence Medal. In 2008, Mrs Sanderson was appointed Agent General for the Government of Western Australia in London, a position she held for three years.

In 2016, Mrs Sanderson was named a Companion of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for eminent service to the people of Western Australia, to the promotion of international investment, scientific research and export opportunities, and through roles with maritime, mining, emergency management and not-for-profit organisations.

During her term as Governor, Mrs Sanderson established three important initiatives – the Governor’s School STEM Awards, the WA Parks Foundation and a successful pilot program for Aboriginal women’s leadership development, Yorga Djenna Bidi.

Mrs Sanderson retired from the position of Governor on 30 April 2018.