As Australia’s longest serving Sex Discrimination Commissioner (2007-2015), Elizabeth worked to break down structural and social barriers faced by women and men, and to promote gender equality. She is a globally acknowledged leader, social innovator and advocate.
She founded and convenes the ‘Champions of Change’ strategy activating influential men to take action on gender equality. She has led 16 major cultural reviews into Australia’s leading national institutions including the Australian Defence Force.

In 2017, Elizabeth was appointed by the United Nations in Geneva as a Special Rapporteur and Independent Expert. of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls.

Elizabeth is a Board member of the International Service for Human Rights and a member of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership Advisory Council, Kings College London.

In 2016, Elizabeth was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia and was named 2016 NSW Australian of the Year.
She is an Adjunct Professor at The University of Sydney, an Honorary Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, holds Honorary Doctorates of Law from the University of Sydney, University of New South Wales and University of Technology and Honorary Doctorates from Deakin, Edith Cowan and Griffith Universities.