18 Facts About Kerry Sanderson

Kerry Sanderson is the first woman to have held the position.

Kerry Sanderson entered the public service after graduation, serving in senior positions in the Treasury and Transport Departments of the Government of Western Australia.

Kerry Sanderson was chief executive officer of Fremantle Ports from 1991 to 2008.

Kerry Sanderson was appointed to succeed Malcolm McCusker as Governor of Western Australia in August 2014.

From Perth, Western Australia, Kerry Sanderson was raised in the city's western suburbs, attending Wembley Primary School and Churchlands Senior High School.

Kerry Sanderson later graduated from the University of Western Australia with Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Economics degrees, with a mathematics concentration.

Kerry Sanderson worked for the Government of Western Australia's Department of Treasury for 17 years, including as director of the economic and financial policy division, and was then deputy director-general of the Department of Transport for four years, becoming "one of the state's most senior and well-regarded bureaucrats".

In October 1991, Kerry Sanderson was named acting general manager of Fremantle Ports, a publicly owned state government trading enterprise responsible for Fremantle Harbour and attached facilities in Cockburn Sound.

Kerry Sanderson was appointed chief executive officer in 1992, and was re-appointed for another five years in November 1997, going on to continue in the position until October 2008.

Kerry Sanderson re-negotiated with maritime unions, decreasing the number of industrial awards from 29 to six.

In July 2008, Kerry Sanderson was named Agent-General for Western Australia, replacing Noel Ashcroft.

Kerry Sanderson was involved in promoting Australia's bid for the Square Kilometre Array, a radio telescope to be built near Boolardy.

Kerry Sanderson left the position in December 2011, after her three-year term expired, and was replaced by Kevin Skipworth.

Shortly after finishing her stint as agent-general, Kerry Sanderson was named a non-executive director of Downer EDI, an engineering and infrastructure management firm.

Kerry Sanderson was named to the boards of St John of God Health Care and Atlas Iron, as well as being on the board of government entities holding positions with a number of charities and non-profit organisations.

Additionally, Kerry Sanderson was appointed an adjunct professor at Curtin University's business school in January 2013.

Kerry Sanderson resigned from her corporate positions before the start of her term as governor.

Kerry Sanderson continues as a director of the WA Parks Foundation as well as patron or ambassador of a number of not-for-profit entities.