Sam Barker (Bala) (She/Her)

Sam has had a unique career that spans government, academia and industry. She is a registered provisional psychologist, holds a degree in Applied Science (Psychology, HR) with First-Class Honours, and is currently completing a Masters in Organisational Psychology at Deakin University. Sam brings nearly two decades of experience in leadership, strategic development and delivery, applied research, stakeholder engagement, governance, operations and program management.

Sam is the former CEO of ISCRR (Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research), where she led a partnership between Monash University and WorkSafe Victoria to deliver high impact applied research programs focused on improving the safety, health, and well-being of Australian workers and their families.

Passionate about all things organisational psychology, she has a keen interest in how leadership styles influence organisational performance, culture and health and wellbeing, aswell as fostering the growth of emerging leaders and specialists through her coaching and mentoring efforts.

When Sam's not in the thick of work and study, she wears her proudest badge as a mum to two school-aged kids. She treasures downtime, whether it's spending time with friends and family, trying new foods, travelling, or simply cocooning on the couch with a drama or crime thriller