The telecommunication giant's chief operating officer departs after 12 years within the organisation
Telstra's chief operating officer, Kate McKenzie, announced her retirement after 12 years with the organisation.
Joining Telstra in 2004 as head of Telstra's regulatory group, McKenzie was part of Telstra’s CEO leadership team since 2007. Prior to taking on her position as COO in 2013, she was the group managing director of innovation, products and marketing for three years. In that role she led major product units including mobile, fixed voice, broadband, network applications and services, data and IP, the national broadband network team and the chief technology office.
Before Telstra, McKenzie was director-general of the Department of Commerce in New South Wales and held senior executive roles in government departments and offices.
She is a also the director of FOXTEL and Allianz Australia and a former director of Sydney Water and the Rail Corporation of New South Wales.
“It has been a wonderful 12 years with Telstra and I am very proud of all the people I have worked with and what we have achieved together," she said. "The time is right for me to change direction in my career. I leave knowing that Telstra, under Andy Penn’s leadership, has a great strategy for the future and wish the company, its people and its shareholders every success."
Telstra's CEO, Andrew Penn, said McKenzie had been a positive force for Telstra, supporting four Chief Executive Officers and working to build our technology and innovation capability.
"She has been a significant contributor to our customer-focused culture and a role model for women in the organisation. I have appreciated her support and counsel,” Penn added.
McKenzie will leave Telstra in the coming weeks. Group executive global enterprise and services, Brendon Riley, will be interim COO with immediate effect while a permanent replacement is found.
Follow CMO on Twitter: @CMOAustralia, take part in the CMO conversation on LinkedIn: CMO ANZ, join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CMOAustralia, or check us out on Google+: google.com/+CmoAu
It's been an incredibly tough three months for the Star as it shut its doors and stood down staff in response to the COVID-19 lockdown. Yet innovation has shone through, and if the CMO, George Hughes, has anything to say about it, such lateral thinking will continue as we start to recover from the crisis.
For businesses and advertiser categories currently experiencing a slowdown in consumer activity, now is the optimal time to get started on projects that have been of high importance, but low urgency.
The effects of the coronavirus slammed the brakes on retail sales in pubs, clubs and restaurants. Fever-Tree’s Australia GM Andy Gaunt explains what they have learnt from some tricky months of trading
There is much talk about what VOZ will bring to the media industry. New ways to slice and dice audiences and segments. A clearer understanding of screen consumption. Even new ways to plan and buy. The most interesting result could be finding something many thought we lost - younger viewers, specifically the valuable 18-39s.
One failing brand tying up with another failing brand!
Realist
Binge and The Iconic launch Inactivewear clothing line
I am 56 years old and was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease after four years of decreasing mobility to the point of having family dress ...
Nancy Tunick
The personal digital approach that's helping Vision RT ride out the crisis
I am 57 and diagnosed in June 2009. I had a very long list of symptoms, some of which were. Keeping right arm close to my side while walk...
Nancy Tunick
Gartner survey: CMO spending hit by COVID-19
Audible did such a great job on their marketing and at the same time, there are no false promises. The support, quality, variety all good...
Vitaliy Lano
Audible's brand plan to build the value of audiobooks
I am 56 years old and was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease after four years of decreasing mobility to the point of having family dress ...
Nancy Tunick
Parkinson's NSW creates a lorem ipsum generator and goes digital to mark Parkinson's Awareness month