The Australian National University has appointed Ilana Atlas as its new Pro-Chancellor, replacing Justice Annabelle Bennett who has stepped down after 13 years in the job.

Ms Atlas, a former partner in legal firm Mallesons Stephens Jaques, has held executive and non-executive roles across a number of industry sectors. She has served on the university council since July 2004 and is on the board of directors of Suncorp Group, Coca-Cola Amatil and Westfield Holdings as well as being chair of the Bell Shakespeare Company.

Between 2000 and 2010, Ms Atlas held senior executive roles at Westpac where her responsibilities included human resources, corporate affairs and sustainability.  She holds the degrees of bachelor of jurisprudence and bachelor of laws with honours from the University of Western Australia, and a master of laws from the University of Sydney.
She is admitted to practise as a lawyer in a number of jurisdictions including the ACT.
Ms Atlas has been a member of Chief Executive Women since 2005.

Ms Atlas will begin her role on 1 August 2011.