Leading in a storm: what does crisis leadership teach us about governance, trust and resilience

Candid Conversations with Andrew Crisp AM, APM

Hosted by Dr Katherine Clift

What can major crises teach us about leadership, decision-making, community resilience and ourselves. Drawing on more than 45 years of experience across policing, emergency management and public service leadership, Andrew Crisp AM APM will share insights from leading Victoria through some of its most challenging events, including the Black Summer bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic. He will also reflect on his personal leadership journey, including the experiences that shaped his approach to leadership and his work leading across diverse organisations and communities. This engaging presentation will explore leading through uncertainty, building trust, navigating complexity, embracing diversity, and strengthening resilience in an increasingly unpredictable world. 

Andrew Crisp AM, APM is one of Australia’s most experienced crisis and emergency management leaders, with more than 45 years of service across policing, emergency response, and public sector leadership.

As Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner from 2018 to 2023, he led the state’s response to major crises, including the 2019–20 bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic. In this role, he coordinated multi-agency emergency responses, advised government, and helped strengthen Victoria’s emergency management capability and resilience.

Prior to this, Andrew served for 40 years with Victoria Police, rising to Deputy Commissioner of Regional Operations and leading large-scale operational responses across the state. His career also included international policing assignments with the United Nations in East Timor and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.

Andrew has since continued his leadership in critical public services, serving as Interim CEO and now as Board Chair of Ambulance Victoria and as Chair of the Defence Employer Partnering Network. He is a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and recipient of the Australian Police Medal (APM).

Please join Andrew as he discusses the leadership skills required to build trust and resilience while navigating crisis management in this increasingly unpredictable world.