Dr Lesley Russell has more than 20 years’ experience working in health policy in the government, private and not-for-profit sectors, both in Australia and internationally.

Most recently Dr Russell was Policy Advisor to Julia Gillard, MP in her role as Federal Shadow Minister for Health and Manager of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives. Prior to this she was part of the Policy Unit in the office of the Hon Simon Crean, MP, when he was Leader of the Federal Opposition, with responsibilities for health and ageing, disabilities, immigration, indigenous affairs and the status of women.

Dr Russell has worked in a similar role in the US Congress. From 1984 to 1991 she was on the staff of the Energy and Commerce Committee in the House of Representatives, having been awarded the 1984-85 American Society for Microbiology Congressional Science Fellowship and then staying on to manage health and biotechnology issues.

Dr Russell has also worked in policy, communication and lobbying roles for the pharmaceutical industry, the Cancer Council and the National Breast Cancer Centre and in the lead-up to the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, she worked in communications and media for both SOCOG and Telstra.

Dr Russell has a BSc (Hons) from the University of Tasmania, a BA from the Australian National University, and a PhD from the John Curtin School of Medical Research at ANU.