Katrena has 20 years of management and executive experience including as CEO of the Local Government Association of Tasmania and Director Environment, Development and Community at Kingborough Council. Before entering the Local Government sector, Dr Stephenson held operational, policy and evaluation roles in a number of Tasmanian State Government departments and in the UK.

Katrena’s experience in community engagement, stakeholder management, governance, political analysis, strategic planning and policy development have been applied consistently across her career including as the architect of Tasmania’s first affordable housing strategy and in promoting, advocating for and supporting Local Government across Tasmania.

Katrena is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, has been a member of the Tasmanian Divisional Council since 2019 and President since April this year. In 2022 Katrena commenced her transition from an executive to directorial career. She is the inaugural chair of the Southern Tasmanian Regional Waste Authority (known as TasWaste South) and also currently serves on the Board and as Chair of the governance committee for Primary Health Tasmania. Other recent Board experience includes Deputy President Local Government Professionals, member of the MAV Insurances Board, and Vice President of the Kingston Neighbourhood House.

Katrena won the 2019 Tasmanian Telstra Businesswomen of the Year – Public Sector and Academia Category and represented Tasmania in the national finals. In 2022 she was made a Fellow of Local Government Professionals Tasmania.