Director-General - Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation
Patricia ‘Trish’ O’Callaghan joined the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation as Director-General in November 2024, bringing extensive leadership experience across tourism, government and industry. Trish previously served as CEO of Tourism and Events Queensland and Destination Gold Coast. She also spent nine years with Townsville Enterprise, initially as General Manager of Tourism and Events before becoming CEO, a position she held for five years.
With more than 15 years of senior executive experience, Trish has expertise in strategy development, advocacy, corporate communications, stakeholder engagement and marketing. She is passionate about growing businesses, supporting communities and translating strategy into meaningful outcomes.
Her achievements include being named the Australian Financial Review’s 2018 BOSS Young Executive and receiving the Australian Institute of Management’s 2014 Queensland Young Manager of the Year Award. She was also selected to participate in the Australian American Young Leadership Dialogue, recognising her leadership and professional achievements.
