Jodie Newton sits at the intersection of two areas that increasingly define the success of modern sports organizations: strategy and people. As Cricket Australia’s Chief People and Strategy Officer, she oversees a portfolio that spans enterprise strategy, culture, stakeholder engagement, government relations, infrastructure, sustainability, and the executive office, helping shape how one of cricket’s most influential governing bodies plans, aligns, and executes.

For Newton, strategy is inseparable from culture. “You can have the best strategy on paper, but without the capability and the culture to drive it forward, you’re not going to have the success that you want.” That philosophy has guided her efforts to strengthen the link between strategy development and execution across Cricket Australia’s many functions.

Her role also places her at the center of a complex network of stakeholders, from state and territory associations to government partners and commercial organizations. Navigating those relationships requires finding common ground. “We’re much more similar than we’re different,” she says. “It’s really about identifying where you’re aligned and listening.” That approach reflects both her leadership style and her experience working across different parts of the Australian cricket system.

One area where Cricket Australia has become a global reference point is female representation in leadership. Newton is quick to note that progress has been deliberate rather than accidental. “Things like this don’t happen per chance,” she says. “It’s been a really conscious effort.” She believes one of the organization’s strengths has been recognizing that women bring value across every aspect of the game, not just women’s cricket. “You need that diversity of thought across all aspects of the game,” she explains. 

Before joining Cricket Australia as Chief of Staff in 2022, Newton spent five years with the South Australian Cricket Association, serving as General Counsel and later Acting Chief Executive Officer. Earlier in her career, she built expertise in corporate law and advisory roles across industries including agriculture, energy, resources, and wine.

Newton credits much of her own leadership journey to mentors who encouraged her to think beyond traditional pathways into sport administration. “You can’t be what you can’t see,” she says. But she is equally clear that progress depends on broad support. “It has to be the men as well as the women” championing future leaders.