Tigers boss Peggy O’Neal scores top job at RMIT University

Richmond Football Club president Peggy O’Neal is set to replace a high-profile businessman in a plum new role.

Richmond Football Club president Peggy O’Neal will become RMIT chancellor from January 1. Picture: Tony Gough

Richmond Football Club president Peggy O’Neal has been appointed chancellor of RMIT University.

Ms O’Neal will step into the role on January 1, replacing former Telstra boss Ziggy Switkowski, who has been chancellor for the past 11 years.

Peggy O’Neal. Picture: Tony Gough

“As a first in family university graduate, education has been life-changing for me and I look forward to contributing to RMIT in the years ahead,’’ Ms O’Neal said.

“This is a terrific opportunity and responsibility.’’

Ms O’Neal, 69, originally from West Virginia, is a board member of Women’s Housing Ltd and Dementia Australia Network, and was a member of Victoria’s Ministerial Council on Women’s Equality for four years.

She has been Tigers president since 2013 and also serves on the AFL’s Mental Health Steering Committee.

Swinburne University awarded her awarded an honorary doctorate in 2019.

The same year she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), acknowledging her contribution to football, superannuation, finance law and the advancement of women in leadership.

Ms O’Neal is expected to continue in her president’s role with the Tigers.

Mr Switkowski resigned his chancellor’s post to become chairman of Crown Resorts. It followed a petition from students and staff that his RMIT post was incompatible with his Crown job — a claim he denied.