People

Catherine Oates Smith

Catherine Oates Smith is the MedTech Theme Leader at the NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN).

Joining the NSSN in October 2022, Catherine is responsible for engagement with university, government and industry stakeholders in MedTech. She also leads the NSSN Aged Care Grand Challenge.

In previous roles, Catherine was the Executive Director of a cancer charity and has co-founded gene therapy and microbiome start-up charities.

She has extensive experience in senior management roles in the legal and not-for-profit sectors, was formerly a television journalist in the UK, and has a long track record in PR, branding and strategy.

Her industry experience includes finance, banking, property, women’s and children’s health (in public hospital settings), and most recently microbiome health in digital platform consumer contexts.

Catherine holds degrees in Arts and Law and has practised Law in Australia and the UK and has 20 years of experience in director roles.

She is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.