Bligh Takes on Top NFP Role

Former Queensland Premier Anna Bligh is moving south to take up the role of CEO of community services organisation YWCA NSW in 2014.

Anna Bligh.

"Anna Bligh will join the organisation at an exciting time in the YWCA NSW's development," YWCA NSW Co-President Josephine Sukkar said.

“With some 200 staff and an annual turnover of $17 million, YWCA NSW is one of Australia's oldest charitable organisations, supporting people at critical times through a wide range of community programs.

"We are thrilled that Anna has accepted this position. The caring staff at YWCA NSW already provide support to in excess of 30,000 vulnerable people each year. Anna brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the role and the sector more broadly.

“With her at the helm, we know we will be well-positioned to support even more individuals and families into the future.”

"Anna's appointment comes at an ideal time as we celebrate our 133rd birthday this year. We could not be more delighted by the opportunity to have such a high calibre CEO leading our team of staff and volunteers," Fellow Co-President Jill Davies said.

YWCA NSW Patron Rachel Ward said she had admired Anna Bligh for a long time and was looking forward to working with her.

Anna Bligh has had a long and distinguished political career, serving Queensland in a number of significant portfolios over 17 years, including Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Finance, Infrastructure, Education, Arts and Social Welfare. Bligh became Australia's first popularly elected female Premier when she won the 2009 State election, a position she held until March 2012.

Bligh’s leadership came to national and international attention as she led Queensland through a series of catastrophic natural disasters in 2011.

“Less well-known is Anna’s considerable experience during her early career in a number of community welfare services,” Sukkar said.

“Anna began her working life as a child support officer in a refuge for women escaping domestic violence. She went on to work in family support services in both New Zealand and Sydney during the 1980s. Anna brings direct, first-hand experience of service delivery to her new role as CEO with YWCA NSW.

“Further, her first Ministerial portfolio was Families, Youth and Community Care and Disability Services. During this time Anna oversaw significant reforms to legislation, programs and funding to improve the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged Queenslanders.”

Bligh said she was looking forward to joining the YWCA NSW team.

"All my life I've been driven to make a difference and YWCA NSW makes a difference every day in some of the state's most disadvantaged communities. There's so much more to be done and I'm passionate about leading the organisation in its next phase of growth," she said.

Bligh said she was attracted to YWCA NSW because of its strong values, its solid record of achievement and innovation and its commitment to serving the broader community for over a century.

“Interestingly, the organisation generates nearly half its revenues from social enterprises and other commercial businesses, including hotels it owns and operates, using the profits from these sources to fund a number of its programs," Bligh said.

"After recent treatment for cancer, I'm pleased to say that I've received the all-clear medically and am ready to take on a new challenge. YWCA NSW is an organisation with enduring ideals and a great heart and I'm excited to be jumping on board."

Bligh will take up the position on January 6, 2014. In the interim the present Acting CEO will continue to lead the organisation.

YWCA NSW supports vulnerable people across NSW at times regardless of their age, religion or gender.