Joanna Hewitt

Joanna Miriam Hewitt (born 1 May 1949) is a former senior Australian public servant and policymaker. She previously served as the Commission Chair of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) from 2011 to 2014.

Background and early life Joanna Hewitt was born in Denmark, Western Australia on 1 May 1949. She was schooled and raised in rural Western Australia and Perth, going on to study her undergraduate degree at the University of Western Australia. She later earned a master's degree in Economics from the London School of Economics.

Between 2000 and 2003 Hewitt was Australia’s Ambassador in Brussels, Belgium, and concurrently ambassador to the European Union and Luxembourg. She stayed in the role until 2007, resigning to join her husband in Washington DC who had a posting there.

Hewitt served as the Commission Chair of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research from 2011 to 2014.

Awards and honours Hewitt was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2008 for service to the community, particularly through significant contributions to Australia's agricultural, forestry and fishing sectors, to cross departmental policy formulation and delivery, and to international relations through fostering diplomatic, trade and cultural interests'.

In 2012, she was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Economics from the University of Western Australia.