Abby Symes
Chief Corporate and Government Affairs Officer

Abby brings extensive experience in public policy and international relations working in, and with, governments around the world. She also has a strong track record leading teams, building capability and managing change. She serves on the I-Pulse Management Team, leading the Group’s government affairs and policy advocacy, media liaison, corporate communications, investor and stakeholder relations, and corporate social responsibility, reporting to Chief Executive Officer Robert Friedland.

Prior to joining I-Pulse Group, Abby served as the Head of Policy and Programme at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, reporting to the Secretary-General Mathias Cormann. In addition to acting as a strategic adviser to the Secretary-General and the OECD’s Executive Leadership, she oversaw briefing, speeches, program management and communications for the Secretary-General and the day-to-day operations of the Secretary-General’s office, as well as heading the Gender Team supporting Deputy Secretary-General Ulrik Knudsen to develop the OECD’s Strategy to promote Gender Equality.

Abby previously held positions in the Australian Government, starting her career at the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts in 2009, before joining the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet in 2016. Her roles spanned areas including biodiversity conservation, product stewardship, hazardous waste, water, regional engagement, international trade, regulatory reform, foreign investment and geoeconomics.

An Australian and United Kingdom dual national, Abby holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Laws, and a Master of Laws, from Macquarie University in Sydney.