Samantha Mostyn, a former lawyer and staffer during the Keating administration gained public recognition and the Order of Australia for her advocacy efforts for gender equality.
She sits on the boards of Reconciliation Australia, Beyond Blue and Virgin and is currently chair of the government-owned Women's Economic Equality Task Force.
The daughter of an army officer, Ms Mostyn said she considered the appointment a great honour, particularly as the idea of public service was something instilled in her from a young age.
