“UTS gave me the strategic lens and ethical foundation to lead with purpose. It was where I learned that business can—and should—be a force for good.”
Sharon Callister
UTS Business School Award 2025
At a glance
- CEO of Mission Australia since 2022.
- Champions affordable housing and systems change.
- Experienced CEO across education, aged care, services.
Sharon Callister studied Master of Business Administration, 1999
Sharon Callister is a nationally recognised leader in not for profit and community services organisations. Joining Mission Australia as CEO in 2022, Sharon has a strong strategic focus, is passionate about ensuring the best possible outcomes for clients and is committed to Mission Australia’s vision of hope and possibility for all.
Under Sharon’s leadership, Mission Australia has championed affordable housing projects, securing partnerships across government and private sectors to deliver safe, secure homes for low-income families. She remains committed to advocating for wholesale systems change to better support the most vulnerable in Australia.
Sharon Callister adopts a servant-leadership style, and is an honest, accountable and authentic leader.
She has fostered a culture of diversity and inclusion within Mission Australia, ensuring that both staff and clients feel valued and supported. Her efforts have inspired sector-wide improvements and positioned Mission Australia as a model for effective, compassionate service delivery.
Prior to joining Mission Australia, Sharon also held multiple other CEO roles in the Christian education, aged care and human services sectors.
In her spare time, Sharon loves to take part in ultramarathons and triathlons. The challenges and rewards from competing in these events have helped her develop a mindset of strength and resilience- both key ingredients needed for performance and success in her day job.
Explore
UTS School of Design graduates Bec Cooper and Bridget Yorsten established their eponymous label Bec + Bridge almost two decades ago in 2001, while they were still students.
Hugh Jackman completed a Bachelor of Arts in Communications at UTS. He says "My passion and fire for learning was lit at UTS"
Dr Anna Funder gained her Doctorate of Creative Arts at UTS. Her best-selling novel All that I Am, was born in the UTS Tower.
While you may have heard of her inclusive performance style, ongoing charity advocacy (and maybe even her 2020 UTS Young Alumni Award), most people don’t know that Emma is also a skilled filmmaker – having graduated from UTS with a Master of Media Arts Production in 2012.
UTS School of Design graduates Bec Cooper and Bridget Yorsten established their eponymous label Bec + Bridge almost two decades ago in 2001, while they were still students.
Hugh Jackman completed a Bachelor of Arts in Communications at UTS. He says "My passion and fire for learning was lit at UTS"
Dr Anna Funder gained her Doctorate of Creative Arts at UTS. Her best-selling novel All that I Am, was born in the UTS Tower.
While you may have heard of her inclusive performance style, ongoing charity advocacy (and maybe even her 2020 UTS Young Alumni Award), most people don’t know that Emma is also a skilled filmmaker – having graduated from UTS with a Master of Media Arts Production in 2012.