Ms Rachael Sandel
Ms Rachael Sandel is the Group Chief Information Officer at Orica, an ASX100 and global leader in mining and infrastructure solutions headquartered in Melbourne. She is responsible for setting enterprise technology direction and leading delivery across platforms, cyber security, cloud, data and analytics, and AI supporting operations in more than 100 countries.
She was recognised in the Australian CIO50 and named a ServiceNow AI Pacesetter for APJ Region in 2025 for pioneering enterprise AI adoption. This year, she delivered keynotes at Google Cloud and ServiceNow conferences, showcasing Orica’s leadership in technology across AI and cloud transformation.
Since joining Orica, Ms Sandel has held senior leadership roles including Group CIO, Head of Integrated Planning & Architecture, Head of Digital Workplace, and Head of IT Strategy & Governance. She has led global teams and delivered complex portfolios spanning SAP, cloud modernisation, cyber security, and AI.
With over 15 years’ experience across multiple sectors and continents, Ms Sandel’s career includes leading executive-sponsored AI, automation, and analytics programs at South32, playing a key role in the BHP demerger, and managing global infrastructure and data privacy programs at Merlin Entertainments in London. She has also headed Management Assurance for Infrastructure, Cloud & Workplace at National Australia Bank, managed major IT audit and risk engagements at Deloitte, and began her career as a Business Analyst at ANZ.
Ms Sandel’s expertise spans enterprise IT strategy and governance, enterprise architecture, risk and assurance, and the delivery of major digital programs, including IT M&A, platform modernisation, multi-cloud at scale, automation, AI and analytics-driven decisioning, cyber security, and ERP transformation.
Ms Sandel is a proud Monash alumna with a Bachelor of Business Information Systems and is a graduate of the Industry Based Learning program.
Outside of work, she is an avid traveller and distance runner, having qualified for and completed the Boston Marathon and the Sydney Marathon in 2025, both World Major Marathons.