Janet Whiting

Janet began her legal career at a time where the legal work environment was extremely male-dominated. From this experience, Janet continues to actively promote the progression of women in the legal and business professions. She is currently a partner with Gilbert + Tobin, heading the litigation division in Melbourne. She was previously a partner with the national law firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth, where she headed up the Corrs' Women in Business group, and was a member of the Diversity Council. Janet has been instrumental in creating networking and personal development opportunities for women connected with Gilbert + Tobin and Corrs. Notably, she has always promoted a number of family friendly policies, such as no internal firm meeting before 9 AM or after 5 PM.

Janet has also been a director in various organisations in both the arts, tourism and health sectors since the 1980s, and is known for her extraordinary ability to provide strategic advice, detailed analysis and commercial solutions.

Janet's roles past and present include President of the Arts Centre Melbourne, Deputy Chair and Director of Victorian Major Events, Director of Tourism Australia, Director of the National Australia Day Council, Director of the Royal Women's Hospital, Director L'Oreal Fashion Festival, Vice President of the Melbourne International Festival, Director of the State Film Centre, Director of St Martin's Youth Theatre, Director of the Naomi Milgrom Foundation, Patron of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation, and Inaugural Chairs of the Royal Women's Hospital Foundation and the Harold Mitchell Foundation.

Notably, Janet's expertise also resulted in her appointment by former Premier of Victoria, the Hon Steve Bracks, to expand Victoria's Major Events Strategy beyond its sports-centric focus. The role was subsequently confirmed by premiers Brumby, Baillieu and Napthine. As a result of Janet's insight and leadership, the Major Events Strategy was substantially broadened with great success to also incorporate a variety of cultural events.

In recognition of Janet's enormous success and outstanding reputation, she was recognised as one of Australia's "100 Women of Influence" in the inaugural awards list published by The Australian Financial Review and Westpac.