Asialink has appointed senior international finance and policy specialist Rachel Thompson as its next Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant leadership transition for Australia’s leading centre for Asia engagement.
Thompson, hailed in the past as a “trailblazer of the Australian Public Service”, has spent her career shaping economic strategy, development finance and cross-regional partnerships. She is currently serving as Australia’s Executive Director at the Asian Development Bank and will complete her term there in early 2026.
Her previous roles include senior positions across government and multilateral institutions, notably a dual posting as Senior Treasury Representative at the Australian Embassy in Beijing and Alternate Director on the board of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
Well regarded for her work strengthening Australia’s links with Asia and the Pacific, Thompson is expected to spearhead Asialink’s renewed strategic direction as it sharpens its focus on the nation’s regional priorities.
“It is an honour to join Asialink at such a transformative moment for Australia’s engagement with Asia.”
She added that she looked forward to working with the Asialink team, the University of Melbourne and partners across the region to build deeper, more creative and more influential connections.
University of Melbourne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global, Culture and Engagement) Prof. Michael Wesley said the appointment would position Asialink strongly for its next phase of growth.
“With her extensive leadership experience, deep understanding of Asia and the Pacific, and global connections, she is ideally placed to steer Asialink through its next phase and shape its future impact.”
Thompson will succeed Martine Letts, who has led Asialink since 2022. Letts’ tenure saw the rollout of the One Asialink Strategy, a consolidation of digital platforms, and the refurbishment of the organisation’s headquarters in the Sidney Myer Asia Centre.
Thompson will begin in February 2026 after returning from Manila, while Letts will remain until March to support a smooth transition.
Based at the University of Melbourne, Asialink works across education, arts, diplomacy and business to enhance Australia’s Asia capability and foster stronger regional ties.
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