Meet Gwen
Gwen Cherne AM
Gwen is a strategic advisor, advocate and systems leader with more than two decades of experience across government, international development, humanitarian operations and veteran family reform.
In 2026, Gwen was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to veterans, veteran families and the broader community.
Gwen is widely recognised for her leadership in systems reform, stakeholder engagement and complex social policy, particularly in areas involving trauma, suicide prevention, military service and family wellbeing. She served as Australia’s inaugural Veteran Family Advocate Commissioner, becoming one of the leading national voices advocating for veteran families and systemic change across government and community sectors.
Her career has spanned senior leadership, policy reform, humanitarian and stabilisation operations, education, international development and public advocacy. From supporting vulnerable youth in Los Angeles, to social work with vulnerable children and families in Chile, to co-founding schools in New York and raising millions of dollars for underserved communities, to leading large-scale programs in Afghanistan, to shaping national reform efforts in Australia, Gwen’s work has consistently focused on people, systems and meaningful change.
Known for combining strategic thinking with deep lived and professional insight, Gwen works across advisory, speaking, facilitation and leadership roles that require trust, credibility and the ability to navigate complexity with humanity.
She works with organisations and leaders who need to navigate complexity, drive reform and deliver lasting impact.
Board, Advisory &
Ambassadorial Roles
Board Positions
- Board Member, Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation (Dec 2025 – Present) ★
- Council Member, Australian War Memorial (2019 – 2020)
- Member Director, Australian War Widows NSW (2018 – 2020)
Advisory Roles
- Advisory Board Member, National Suicide Prevention Office (Nov 2023 – Present) ★
- Stakeholder Reference Group, Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide (2022 – 2024)
- Committee Member, Sufferings of War and Service, Australian War Memorial (2018 – 2024)
Ambassadorial Roles
- Ambassador, Invictus Australia (Oct 2021 – Present) ★
- Ambassador, Commando Welfare Trust (Mar 2026 – Present) ★
- Ambassador, Gotcha4Life
Education
Gwen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Boston College and a Master of Public Administration in International Policy from the NYU Wagner School of Public Service. In 2024 she completed the Company Directors Course through the Australian Institute of Company Directors.