Jessie Street Annual Lunch at Parliament House

Sam Mostyn has enjoyed a diverse career across business, politics, science and the arts, the not for profit sector and sport. Sam was a senior executive at Optus Communications and Insurance Australia Group, and now serves as a non-executive director on the boards of Virgin Blue and Transurban. In 2005, Sam became the first woman appointed to the AFL Commission.

In her time with IAG, Sam oversaw the development of a corporate, social and environmental sustainability plan, and oversaw the company's participation in the Australian Business Roundtable on Climate Change and the creation of Business for Millenium Development. The company also committed itself to carbon neutrality and to creating a safe, diverse and flexible workforce. Sam has long worked to build strong and trusting relationships across disperate sectors of the Australian community, particularly focused on equality of opportunity for women, the need for diversity in leadership, and an enduring commitment to reconciliation with indigenous Australians. She is recognised as a leader in sustainability and climate change advocacy.

In 2009, Sam was a member of the Crawford Review of the Funding of Sport in Australia, and chairs the AFL's traineeship company, Sportsready, which provides traineeships for young Australians in the sports industry. She is a strong supporter of the role sport can play in tackling profound social issues, such as disrespect for women and racism.

Sam's other board and advisory roles continue to encompass a broad range of interests.She is President of the Australian Museum Trust and a board member of Australian Volunteers International, the Sydney Theatre Company, and a community representative on the board of the Australia Council for the Arts. She is the chair of the Stakeholder Advisory Council of the CSIRO's Climate Adaption Flagship, a member of the NSW Climate Change Council, and serves on the advisory board of ClimateWorks Australia, She is a member of the women's advisory panel of the Australian Chief of Defence Force, and Deputy Chair of the Diversity Council of Australia.

Sam lives in Sydney with her husband and 11 year old daughter.

Jessie Street (1889-1970) was a great Australian activist for peace and human rights. The trust was formed in 1989 to commemorate Jessie's life and to assist activities she would have supported in areas of women's rights, Aboriginal and Torres Starit Islander rights, peace and disarmament and the elimination of discrimination.

To book, please go to the website of the Jessie Street Trust and download an invitation before Friday 25 March 2011.

Cost: $95 ($70 concession for students and pensioners only)

RSVP: Before Friday 25 March