Ixchel Brennan
About Ixchel Brennan
Ixchel Brennan serves as an Associate Director at KPMG Australia, bringing over fifteen years of experience in academic and professional management roles within universities. She specializes in project management and stakeholder engagement, focusing on delivering value to the education sector and fostering collaboration between industry and academia.
Current Role at KPMG Australia
Ixchel Brennan serves as an Associate Director at KPMG Australia, a position she has held since 2019. In this role, she focuses on delivering strategic insights and recommendations to enhance stakeholder engagement and project management. Her work involves collaborating with various sectors, including education, to drive innovation and research initiatives.
Previous Experience in Higher Education
Ixchel Brennan has extensive experience in the higher education sector, having worked at the University of South Australia in various capacities. She served as Program Manager for the Future Industries Accelerator from 2016 to 2017, and as Portfolio Manager for Research and Innovation from 2013 to 2015. Additionally, she held the position of Executive Officer to the Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice President: Research and Innovation from 2010 to 2013.
Educational Background
Ixchel Brennan studied at the University of Adelaide, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Science from 1999 to 2003. She further pursued her academic career by obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in the Discipline of Medicine from 2006 to 2009. Currently, she is studying for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of South Australia, which she began in 2016.
Expertise in Stakeholder Engagement
Ixchel Brennan has a strong focus on stakeholder engagement within the education sector. She has worked with state and federal governments, higher education providers, and the vocational education and training sector. Her ability to communicate and negotiate effectively supports the translation of research into valuable outcomes for university partners.
Industry-University Interface Experience
Ixchel Brennan possesses considerable experience at the industry-university interface. She has a comprehensive understanding of the value of innovation and research and development for industries, government, and communities. Her work has involved helping senior managers and clients develop strategies to advance engagement and research agendas.