Interim CEO Takes Over Reins of Learning Links
23 September 2013 at 10:57 am
After 12 years at the helm of Learning Links, a Sydney-based service for children with disabilities, Chief Executive Officer Warren Johnson has stepped down from the top job.
Kate Frost, who was previously CEO of YWCA in NSW and before that the head of Fundraising at The Smith Family, has stepped in as interim CEO.
The organisation has started an executive search and depending on the results the position may not be advertised.
Learning Links Chairman Simon Osborn said Learning Links had reached an “important time”.
“We are finalising our strategic priorities for the future and scoping the opportunities reforms in Education, DisabilityCare and Health, as well as the impact of new technologies,” Osborn said.
“Kate brings extensive early childhood, family support and community capacity building experience to Learning Links.
"Our clients and staff can feel confident that services from Learning Links will continue uninterrupted.”
Deputy Chair Rod Watson said it was a decision Johnson decided to make after the board decided it was a “good time to make a new change”. He said Johnson was now taking some time out.
“We think it’s very positive. He sees it as the next step of his journey and the next step for our journey as an organisation,” Watson said.
Watson praised the work of Johnson, and said it was Johnson who enabled the organisation to grow from the small, local organisation started by parents, to the large organisation that it was today.
Learning Links, formerly known as the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities or ACLD, was started in 1972 by parents concerned about the lack of appropriate education services to meet their children’s needs.
The organisation now helps children with disabilities and learning support needs, and their families and communities, realise their individual potential. They also provide professional development to early childhood teachers, childcare workers, therapists, school teachers, psychologists and nurses to support children with disabilities and learning support needs.
Services are delivered across south west Sydney with primary locations at Peakhurst and Mount Pritchard.
Gipton Moves On, Wescott Moves in at Greenfleet
Wayne Wescott has replaced Sara Gipton as Chief Executive of Greenfleet – a Not for Profit organisation that helps the community to reduce the environmental impact of travel, business and lifestyle choices by adopting low-carbon alternatives and biosequestration.
Greenfleet chair Ian Porter said Mr Wescott brings a substantial record of leadership and achievement in the not-for-profit sector, an excellent knowledge of climate change policy and regulation, as well as strategic and consulting skills.
"Wayne is ideally suited to lead Greenfleet in an exciting period as we grow into a new policy environment where biodiverse forest sequestration will become more and more attractive to investors," he said.
Gipton, who had led Greenfleet for eight years, resigned in June.
