Biography

Susan (Sue) Murphy AO is an accomplished civil engineer and company director with over four decades of experience across engineering, infrastructure, and utilities leadership.

A graduate of the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons), Sue began her career at Clough Engineering in 1980 following receipt of a Clough Scholarship. Over 25 years at Clough, she progressed from site engineer to senior executive roles, becoming the first woman appointed to the company’s board in 1998.

In 2004, Sue joined the Water Corporation of Western Australia and served as Chief Executive Officer from 2008 to 2018. Under her leadership, the Corporation was internationally recognised for pioneering climate-resilient water solutions, including large-scale desalination, water recycling and demand management programs that helped secure Perth’s long-term water supply.

Sue has been widely acknowledged for her contribution to engineering and public leadership, having been named an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2019. She has received numerous awards including Engineers Australia’s Sir John Holland Civil Engineer of the Year and the International Water Association’s Women in Water Award.

She currently serves as Lead Non-Executive Director of Monadelphous Group Ltd, Pro Chancellor of the University of Western Australia, and holds several advisory and not-for-profit board positions. Sue is a Fellow of both Engineers Australia and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.