Science and conservation leader Jo White was appointed as the new Director of Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre in 2022. Ms White, commenced on 1 November 2022 and has been working to secure the future of Questacon with the Government announcing additional funding of $60 million in the May budget. She is leading new strategic planning and critical property, digital and exhibition upgrades.

Prior to joining Questacon she was the Director of Science, Education and Conservation at the Australian Institute of Botanical Science, Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Where she led the National Herbarium of NSW, the Australian PlantBank, and Education and Engagement Centre at the Royal Botanic Gardens. The Centre comprised more than 100 staff, 400 volunteers and $330 million worth of collection assets.

For the past 10 years, Ms White has worked at a senior executive level leading science and conservation. She has extensive government experience, with more than 25 years’ operating at a senior level in the fields of science, strategy, conservation and environmental management.