Karen Walsh

Facilitator

Karen Walsh is a nationally respected executive leader with over 30 years of experience driving innovation, policy reform, and systemic change across Australia’s housing, homelessness, and human services sectors. Her career is defined by a deep commitment to collaboration, equity, and lasting social and economic impact.

Karen is renowned for integrating commercial acumen with social purpose. She has shaped national housing policy, led innovative PPP models and urban regeneration. Her leadership spans public, private, and not-for-profit domains, fostering cross-sector partnerships and influencing government reform.

At SGCH, Karen’s seven-year tenure oversaw a period of unprecedented growth, leading the portfolio strategy, expanding housing supply, embedding tenant-led innovation and leading Australia’s first social housing PPP at Bonnyrigg;

In the Northern Territory, she spearheaded the Government’s first Community Housing Growth Strategy, unlocking capital investment, establishing systems and frameworks, laying the foundations for a sustainable sector. 

As CEO of Venture Housing, she positioned the organisation as a Tier 1 provider, diversified and tripled its portfolio, and increased Aboriginal tenancies from 16% to  45%. 

Karen has also served as Interim CEO at National Shelter and CHIA during pivotal moments of policy and system reform, further cementing her reputation as a trusted leader in times of transition and transformation.