Deborah Thomas

Deborah Thomas is one of Australia’s most respected and accomplished magazine editors and media executives. She led The Australian Women’s Weekly—the country’s most-read magazine and, per capita, the world’s most-read—for nearly a decade, driving editorial excellence and record-breaking circulation growth. Under her leadership, the magazine won multiple awards, including Magazine of the Year and Editor of the Year, cementing her status as a visionary in publishing.

Following her tenure at the Weekly, Deborah moved into corporate leadership at ACP Magazines (now Bauer Media), overseeing media, corporate affairs, brand development, events, PR, and advertising partnerships. She now serves as Editorial and Media Director for women’s magazines and custom publishing, managing in-house titles for Myer, Qantas, Westfield, Cathay Pacific, and others. As the corporate face of Bauer Media, she hosts major events, represents the company on boards—including the joint venture with Bangkok Post—and is a sought-after speaker on marketing, media, and publishing.

Deborah began her publishing career in 1987 after a modelling career in Europe and experience in television production and advertising. She held senior editorial roles at Cleo, Mode, and Elle before being appointed editor of The Australian Women’s Weekly in 1999 by Kerry Packer. Beyond publishing, Deborah is a prominent advocate and leader, serving as deputy chair of the National Library of Australia, non-executive director of Ardent Leisure, founding patron of the Taronga Conservation Foundation, director of Youth Off The Streets, and a councillor for Woollahra Municipal Council.

A regular on radio and television, Deborah is an engaging and authoritative media commentator and speaker, combining deep industry knowledge with insights on leadership, marketing to women, work-life balance, and the evolving world of publishing.