Professor (Dr.) Dawn Freshwater is Vice-Chancellor of the University of Auckland and has been a globally recognized leader in world-class universities for more than a decade whilst remaining committed to her academic discipline. She became the University's first female Vice-Chancellor in March 2020, after serving as the University of Western Australia's Vice-Chancellor and Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Registrar. Professor Freshwater was the first female Chair of the G08 Research Intensive Universities in Australia and Deputy Chair (2018-2020), having previously been a Director. She is currently Deputy Chair of Research Australia, Vice-Chair of the Asia Pacific Rim Universities, Chair of the UNZ Research Committee, and past Chair of the Partnership Board of the World University Network (WUN). Professor Freshwater was awarded her PhD at the University of Nottingham. Her contribution to the fields of Public Health (specifically Mental Health and Forensic Mental Health) and in researching Leadership practices has won her the highest honours in her field. She was recently made a Fellow of the Royal College Surgeons Ireland (FRCSI), and elected to the Academia Europea (MAE). As an academic, Professor Freshwater has contributed over 200 publications, including peer-reviewed papers, research reports, books, editorials and media contributions. A strong advocate of industry engagement and of the role of higher education in supporting trade agreements, Professor Freshwater maintains strong professional ties with key figures in education and industry in Asia, Europe and the United States.