Nicole Livingstone

CEO at Victorian Institute of Sport

Speaker

Nicole Livingstone is a pioneering leader who has transformed Australian sport across four decades, from competing as an elite athlete to driving strategic transformation in boardrooms and executive leadership. Today, as Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS), she is shaping the future of high performance sport as Australia prepares for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A Career of Reinvention and Impact
Nicole's career trajectory exemplifies adaptive leadership and excellence across multiple sectors. Beginning as a world-class athlete, she won a bronze medal in the 200m backstroke at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and bronze and silver medals at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, representing Australia on the world's biggest stage.

For over two decades, Nicole established herself as a respected media voice, hosting iconic Australian television programs including Wide World of Sport, Sports Tonight, The Project, and Formula One Grand Prix coverage. Her seamless transition from pool to podium to television studio demonstrated the agility and communication excellence required to master different domains.

In executive leadership, Nicole has driven transformational change across major sporting organisations. She served on the boards of the Australian Olympic Committee, Swimming Australia, and VicHealth, bringing an athlete's perspective to strategic governance. Most notably, she led the Australian Football League Women's (AFLW) competition through a remarkable expansion period, growing it from an eight-team startup to a thriving 18-club competition with 540 players - establishing it as a jewel in the Australian sporting landscape.

CEO of the Victorian Institute of Sport
In September 2024, Nicole was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Institute of Sport, marking a full-circle moment in her career. She was one of the first athletes to receive a VIS scholarship in 1990 and now serves as only the third CEO in the organisation's 34-year history. In this role, Nicole is driving VIS's strategic expansion, strengthening community partnerships, and enhancing financial sustainability while preparing Victoria's athletes for success at Brisbane 2032 and beyond.

Honours and Recognition
Nicole holds two of Australia's highest sporting honours: Order of Australia (AO) and the Olympic Honour (OLY), recognising her extraordinary contributions to Australian sport and society.