Renee Chalon

Renée is the Head of Content and Analysis at the Perth USAsia Centre, where she leads the Centre’s research program and delivers insights that inform policy, shape public understanding and support strategic decision‑making across the Indo‑Pacific. In this role, she oversees the development of high‑quality analysis that advances the Centre’s mission to strengthen Australia’s engagement with the region.

Renée joined the Centre following seven years with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, where she most recently led the team responsible for embedding trade and investment considerations into whole‑of‑government approaches to economic security, critical minerals and critical technologies. Her work helped ensure Australia’s commercial interests were integrated into emerging national priorities.

With more than two decades of experience across policy, research, strategy, data and analysis, Renée has held leadership roles in state and Commonwealth government agencies, as well as the NGO sector. She has deep expertise in international education policy and strategy, with a strong record of using evidence‑based research to drive improved export outcomes. As Research Manager for Australia’s peak body for international education, she designed and delivered a research agenda focused on actionable insights that strengthened advocacy efforts and enhanced the sector’s social licence.

Renée has also held management positions at independent government agencies including the Productivity Commission and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, where she led data‑driven policy initiatives and contributed to major national reviews.