ASIS is led by the Director-General, Kerri Hartland.
Director-General
Kerri has worked in senior executive roles across a large number of government departments including Employment and Workplace Relations, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Prime Minister and Cabinet, Finance, Industry, Resources and Energy, Human Services and Immigration.
After leaving the public sector in 2020, Kerri worked with the Business Council of Australia and then as a principal advisor and Chair of a consulting advisory and legal firm. During this time, she continued her work in the intelligence and security areas having been a member of the ANU National Security College Futures Council, AUSTRAC's Fintel Alliance, and Chair of the AFP and Office of the Special Investigator’s Audit and Risk Committees. In 2021 she became the Chair of the National Youth Science Forum and also sits on the board of the Canberra Hospital Foundation.
Kerri started her working life as a journalist in rural Queensland and then in the Press Gallery at Parliament House working for the Melbourne Herald and Weekly Times.
Deputy Director-General Capability & Corporate Management and Transformation
Catherine Burn was appointed ASIS's Deputy Director-General Capability, Corporate Management and Transformation in April 2018. Prior to this, Catherine had a distinguished career with the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) reaching the rank of Deputy Commissioner.
Catherine has been awarded many accolades including a University Medal, the Australian Police Medal and the International Women's Day 2007 NSW Woman of the Year for achievement in valuing difference and leading change. In 2011 Catherine was announced as the Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year.
Deputy Director-General Operations
Appointed as Deputy Director-General Operations in April 2024, Ewan Macmillan brings four decades of experience in Australia's national security community.
Joining the Australian Army in 1985, Ewan served 15 years, including roles in logistics and Army Intelligence. Ewan is a proud veteran having served operationally with the Army in Papua New Guinea and Iraq.
In mid-1999, Ewan transitioned to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, where he worked as a policy officer focused on the Asia-Pacific region.
Ewan joined ASIS in February 2002, marking the beginning of a 20-year career including numerous postings and operational deployments. Across his ASIS career, Ewan has served overseas in the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia, and has held various senior operational and corporate roles in Canberra and overseas.
In 2022, Ewan moved to ASIO as Deputy Director-General Vetting Service Delivery, leading reforms of Australia's highest level of security clearance vetting capability.
