Helen is a former Australian Inspector-General of Biosecurity, Executive Director Research, Advisory and Education with NSW Agriculture and NSW Chief Veterinary Officer.

She served as Chief Veterinary Officer and Director, Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication, with NSW Agriculture and led veterinary capacity-building projects in Indonesia on zoonotic disease control, especially rabies, anthrax, brucellosis and leptospirosis.  She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and served on the boards of Animal Health Australia and the Cooperative Research Centres for Invasive Animals, Weeds, Beef, Sheep, Cotton and Rice. 

In 2021 Helen was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for "significant service to public administration, to biosecurity, and to veterinary science". She joined the Board Director of Vets for Climate Action that same year as she is deeply passionate about climate and the potential for the veterinary community to advocate for and achieve emissions reductions. Helen compliments her great sense of energy and humour with a wealth of experience in governance and strategy.