Carrying the momentum forward for Arthritis

This weeks PBA Changemaker, Michelle Devoy is the Chief Executive Officer of The Arthritis Movement, leading the organisation through its next phase of growth and transformation following the merger of Arthritis NSW and Arthritis Queensland. 

With extensive experience across the not-for-profit and FMCG sectors in Australia, New Zealand and the UK, Michelle brings a strong blend of commercial acumen and purpose-driven leadership, underpinned by deep expertise in financial management, organisational transformation and strategic growth. Her career spans senior finance and general management roles, giving her a well-rounded understanding of how strategy, operations and people come together to deliver meaningful impact.

Michelle has led organisations through complex change, overseen diverse portfolios including sales and marketing, technology, fundraising and workforce capability, and built high-performing, collaborative teams focused on outcomes that matter. Prior to her appointment as CEO, Michelle served as Chief Financial Officer, where she played a key role in guiding the organisation through the merger and supporting the launch of Clara, an AI powered arthritis companion app. She is passionate about building innovative, sustainable organisations and working closely with partners and communities to deliver meaningful impact and improve the lives of people living with arthritis.

Describe your career trajectory and how you got to your current positIon.

In high school, I wanted to be a musician. My dad, who had worked in a number of organisations in executive roles, encouraged me to think broadly about my future and keep my options open. That conversation led me to study business at university. I went on to qualify as a Chartered Management Accountant and started my career with some great finance roles in large organisations in the UK, including Fosters Brewing Group and Frito-Lay. When I moved to Australia, I continued my career in FMCG, working in finance roles at Goodman Fielder. I’ve always been interested in the full commercial picture of an organisation, not just the numbers. That curiosity led me into broader leadership roles, including heading up the Group Category Management function, becoming Commercial Finance Director at Uncle Toby’s, and later spending a year in New Zealand as General Manager at Bluebird Foods.

On my return to Australia, I made a deliberate decision to move into mission-based organisations. I wanted my work to have a more direct and positive impact on people’s lives and the not-for-profit sector felt like the right place to do that. I went on to work across a number of health-based not-for profits. I joined The Arthritis Movement initially as Operations Manager, before moving to CFO. In that position, I helped bring together the finance and operations functions of the NSW and Queensland organisations to improve efficiency and strengthen financial reporting. 

When the CEO role became available, it felt as a natural next step, both in my career and in my journey with The Arthritis Movement. After a comprehensive recruitment process, I was delighted to be appointed to the role. I am really looking forward to this next chapter, growing our impact and continuing to deliver meaningful support to people living with arthritis.

What drives you to do the work that you do?

My parents were incredibly strong role models when it came to work ethic and helping others. I grew up watching them support people through voluntary work and practical everyday acts of kindness. Seeing the difference that kind of support can make stayed with me. Later, volunteering helped reinforce my sense of purpose and why supporting others in practical ways genuinely matters. What drives me is knowing that the work we do helps improve people’s day-to-day lives. Being part of an organisation that makes a meaningful difference is what keeps me energised and committed.

If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give yourself as you first embarked on your career?

I would tell myself to listen more. I wasn’t a good listener in the early part of my career. I had a habit of interrupting, and one of my managers once pointed out that he could tell I already had my answer before the other person had finished speaking. With hindsight, I would have taught myself the value of listening, and properly considering what others were saying. This can reap enormous benefits, both in relationships, and in learnings and optimisation of actions and strategies.

What does social sector leadership look like to you?

At its core, leadership is the same in any sector. It is about providing clear direction and priorities and developing and supporting people to do their best work and continue to grow. It’s about creating the right environment, equipping teams with the tools they need and listening to feedback so you can keep improving. Above all, it rests on trust, integrity and a genuinely human approach. In the social sector, there is an added responsibility to always keep the organisation’s purpose front and centre. Every decision needs to be grounded in the mission and focused on the impact you are delivering for the people you support. Ultimately, leadership in this space is about making sure the work truly matters.

What are you currently watching / reading / listening to?

I love reading and usually have both a fiction book and a non-fiction book on the go at the same time. One keeps me learning and growing, and the other purely for enjoyment. When it comes to watching TV, I tend to gravitate towards light relief. Anything that makes me laugh or tells a great story is perfect after a busy day. My listening preference is always music. Music has a powerful way of shaping your mood and can really set you up for a great day.