After 10 years as Chair of Council, Pauline Blight-Johnston (1988) stepped down from the position in April 2020. Pauline is an Old Girl, Dux of the College (1988), and the first female Chair of MLC School Council.

During her tenure, Pauline was instrumental in transforming the physical nature of the School. This is marked most notably by the building of the Senior Centre, the biggest capital project ever undertaken by MLC School, as well as Cafe 1886 and a significant landscaping project on the senior campus. Buildings were never the endpoint for Pauline but a means of ensuring the School continues to deliver outstanding educational outcomes for the girls.

Pauline also oversaw an expansion of academic programs at the School. Every girl now has the opportunity to experience learning in an international context. Whilst the continued growth of the School’s academic results, especially in the International Baccalaureate (IB), cementing MLC School’s place as one of the top IB schools in Australia and the world, happened under Pauline's watch.

The 2020–2024 Strategic Plan was also developed under Pauline’s leadership. She also implemented stronger governance arrangements to support a new corporate structure. Pauline remains a member of Council, committed to helping MLC School be a place where girls thrive.

Pauline has had a successful career in wealth management and insurance and has over 25 years’ experience in senior management, financial and strategy in Australia, New Zealand and globally. She joined Genworth as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director this year and prior to that held senior leadership roles in a number of top tier insurance companies.

An active industry participant, Pauline has served on the boards of the Institute of Actuaries, the Financial Services Council, the Australian Institute of Insurance and Finance, and has been a member of and chaired numerous committees of these bodies.

Pauline is a Fellow of each of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia, the New Zealand Society of Actuaries, the Actuarial Society of South Africa, Finsia, the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance & Finance and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She also holds a Master of Economics degree from Macquarie University.