Winsome grew up in the vineyard valley, a descendant of Mary McCrimmond McPherson. She studied philosophy at the University of Melbourne, a discipline she’s found invaluable in her diverse roles. She is a Trustee of the Helen MacPherson Smith Trust and a Director of the MacPherson Smith Rural Foundation. Most recently she served as Senior Strategic Adviser (Research Partnerships) with the University of Melbourne.

Her former roles include:
• CEO of AbaF (now Creative Partnerships Australia)
• Chair and CEO of ANZFA (now Food Standards Australia)
• CEO of Greening Australia Ltd
• Lord Mayor of Melbourne 1988-89 and nine years as a Melbourne City Councillor
• CEO of the Lance Reichstein Foundation
• Founder and Coordinator of the Community Child Association