Former ACT Chief Minister Takes Top NPF Job

Former Australian Capital Territory Chief Minister, Kate Carnell AO, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of beyondblue – a high profile Not for Profit dealing with issues around depression.

Carnell is the second former Chief Minister to take on a major role in a Not for Profit organisation in recent years. Her appointment comes after former Northern Territory Chief Minister, Clare Martin became Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Council of Social Service, ACOSS, back in 2008. Martin resigned after two years in the top job.

beyondblue’s chairman, Jeff Kennett – a former Liberal Premier of Victoria – said that Carnell is an experienced CEO who will work with the Board and staff in continuing beyondblue's work throughout the community.

"Ms Carnell is well connected to our political stakeholders, and has already identified a range of initiatives she would like to add to our programs to assist our Australia-wide community to better understand and address depression, anxiety and mental health issues," Kennett said.

The highly respected Carnell spent six years at the Chief Minister of the ACT and was the Minister for Health for three. beyondblue says she has a long-term interest in the policy and delivery issues surrounding mental health.

Carnell recently served as chief executive of the Australian General Practice Network and up until her appointment with beyondblue has been the chief executive of the Australian Food and Grocery Council.

Carnell said that she is excited about the opportunity to lead beyondblue during its next phase of growth.

“Depression and anxiety affect the lives of more than one in five Australians, so the role of beyondblue in increasing the understanding and decreasing the stigma sometimes associated with these conditions continues to be very important,” she said.

Carnell has already had a long history with beyondblue, having been a director since 2008 and deputy chair since 2010. She was also involved in the establishment of Headspace.

She is a registered pharmacist and was awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2006.

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