Mitzi Bolton

A strategic and interdisciplinary thinker, Mitzi is passionate about finding and facilitating solutions to entrenched problems. For over a decade this drive has seen her focused on trying to close the gap between society's stated ideals and the public outcomes realised, particularly in relation to public sector decision-making and the achievement of sustainable development.

Mitzi holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours, with a thesis on the bioremediation of contaminated minesites, from The University of Melbourne, and a Master of Commercial Laws from Monash University. Mitzi's doctoral thesis, conducted at the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University, was accepted without revision and considers the factors influencing public sector decisions and the achievement of sustainable development in the State of Victoria. This work also lays the foundations for her current reserach exploring mechanisms to employ system leverage points for improved public outcomes.

In addition to these academic achievements, Mitzi has almost 12 years' experience in the public sector, at both the Victorian and national level, and across technical and administrative functions. A skilled public servant, she has held an array of leadership and policy development roles within the Victorian Environment Protection Authority, the Department of Premier & Cabinet (Vic) and the Productivity Commission. 

Mitzi's commitment to the public interest and in helping stakeholders achieve their best is also evident in her enthusiasm for building strong stakeholder relationships, and her appointments as current Chair of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (Vic) Sustainability Community of Practice, and as a former non-Executive Director of the Australasian Land and Groundwater Association Ltd Board.

Research Interests

• Integrated decision-making and associated tools
• Optimising public decision-making
• Sustainable development