Qantas snags Optus-bound head of corporate affairs before she even started

Qantas snags Optus-bound head of corporate affairs before she even started
Edited by Travel Weekly


    Qantas has recruited Danielle Keighery from Optus two weeks before she was set to begin a new role at the telecommunications giant.

    Keighery is an experienced c-suite executive who has most recently worked at Crown Resorts for two years as well as over ten years at rival carrier, Virgin Australia.

    In September, she was appointed a position at Optus after criticism surrounding a 2022 cyberattack – not the infamous 2023 outage after Melbourne cup last year.

    Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson has lorded her appointment, commenting on her experience in building corporate reputations and business culture.

    “Danielle has a wealth of experience leading corporate affairs functions for major organisations in both Australia and overseas, with broader expertise in building corporate reputation, enhancing brands and customer experience, and driving cultural change through strong communications and stakeholder engagement,” Hudson, said.

    “Danielle also has a deep understanding of aviation, having held a number of senior executive roles at Virgin Australia during more than a decade with the airline.

    “I know she’ll make a valuable contribution to the Qantas Group as part of our leadership team.”

    The appointment follows the resignation of current group executive of  corporate affairs, Andrew McGinnes, who leaves after 13 years with Qantas.

    “I’d like to sincerely thank Andrew for all his work over a long and successful career at Qantas,” Hudson said.

    (Featured image: Danielle Keighery, headshot. – Linkedin/Danielle Keighery)

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