Professor Gabrielle McMullen, an organic chemist, undertook postdoctoral research in Germany before joining the Faculty of Medicine at Monash University and also becoming Dean of its Catholic residence, Mannix College, in 1981. Her next role introduced her to Mercy ministries – from 1995-2000, Gabrielle was Rector of Australian Catholic University’s (ACU) Ballarat campus, which had its origins in a teachers’ college founded by the Sisters of Mercy.
Gabrielle was subsequently ACU’s Pro- and then Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) until February 2011 – these roles saw her working nationally across the University, including at Mercy Campus in Melbourne and McAuley Campus in Brisbane. In line with her interest in the identity and mission of Catholic agencies, she chaired ACU’s Identity and Mission Committee for over a decade.
Gabrielle’s community contributions have encompassed membership of education, health, theology and community service boards and from 2011-2017 she was a Trustee of Mary Aikenhead Ministries. Her current roles include chair of the Australian Catholic Council for Pastoral Research, deputy chair of the members of Emerging Futures Collaborative Ltd, director of Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Ltd, member of the Divine Word University Council, of the University of Divinity Council (and its Deputy Chancellor), of the Christian Brothers Professional Standards Consultative Committee, and of the Missionary Sisters of Service Stewardship Council, Trustee of the Opening the Doors Foundation and President of the Australian Association of von Humboldt Fellows.