Nerida O'Loughlin was appointed Chair and Agency Head of the ACMA from 14 October 2017 for five years. Prior to joining the ACMA, Nerida was Deputy Secretary in the Department of Communications and the Arts providing policy advice across telecommunications, broadcasting, online content and the arts. Nerida has also been responsible for major projects in the communications portfolio, including leading the Digital Television Switchover Program. Nerida served as interim CEO of the Digital Transformation Agency from 2016 to 2017. Over her career, Nerida has also held senior positions in the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments, predominantly across the technology and cultural sectors.

On 6 April 2019, Nerida was appointed as an Associate Member of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. On 10 June 2019 Nerida was awarded a Public Service Medal in the Queen’s Birthday honours for ‘outstanding public service through contributions to a more digital Australia and government’.