Rate My Professor Samantha Martin-Williams

Samantha Martin-Williams is a Professor of Practice at Newcastle Business School, University of Newcastle, appointed in recognition of her extensive industry expertise and commitment to education. She serves as Chair of the school's External Advisory Board, established in 2024 to guide its strategic direction and align programs with business needs. An accomplished alumna of the university, she holds a Bachelor of Business (1995) and a Master of Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations (2001), and was honored with the Newton-John Alumni Medal in 2004 for her contributions. With over 25 years of professional experience across finance, infrastructure, resources, education, and technology sectors, Martin-Williams has held senior leadership roles, including former CEO of NUsport at the University of Newcastle, General Manager of TAFE NSW Hunter Institute, and Director of External Relations and Customer Service at Hunter TAFE. She was the first female director appointed to the board of Newcastle Permanent Building Society in 2012, later transitioning to NGM Group following its formation.

Currently, Samantha Martin-Williams is Chair of Newcastle Airport Pty Limited, Deputy Chair of Greater Newcastle Aerotropolis Ltd, Chair-elect of NGM Group Australia—one of the country's largest customer-owned multi-brand banks where she chairs the People, Culture, and Remuneration Committee—and a director at Fishburners. In 2024, she was appointed independent Chair of Ausfilm for a three-year term. A Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD) and Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia (FGIA), she previously served as vice-chair of the Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia and as a conjoint lecturer at the University of Newcastle's Graduate School of Law and Business. Her governance experience spans highly regulated industries including logistics, supply chain, financial services, health, and education. Martin-Williams has delivered keynote presentations, such as at the University of Newcastle's 2024 Industry Open Day, and features in the Leading Conversations podcast series. She contributes to mentoring initiatives and serves on various advisory boards, enhancing connections between academia and industry.