Children and Youth Alliance Names New Head

The appointment of Dianne Jackson as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) is among the many recent executive moves in the Not for Profit sector.

According to ARACY, whose membership comprises of organisations and individuals representing the interests of children and youth, Dr Jackson was appointed after a rigorous recruitment process.

"ARACY exists to put evidence into policy and action for the wellbeing of Australia’s next generations," ARACY’s Board Chair Elaine Henry.

"And Dianne brings unique skills to lead us in that task."

Dr Jackson built up early childhood organisation Connect Child and Family Services in NSW from a small organisation to what it is today with three centre-based sites and 52 outreach locations many of which are situated in vulnerable communities. She also achieved recognition for her doctoral work winning the 2010 European Early Childhood Education Research award and named a Telstra Business Woman's Award NSW finalist.

Dr Jackson has also co-authored a recently released book on parent engagement.

"ARACY has an exciting future as the organisation brings The Nest to life. The Nest is a unique resource, which we’ve created with our members, that brings together the world’s best evidence of what works in child and youth wellbeing,” Chair Elaine Henry said.

“It also sets goals children and families have told us matter to them. We needed a CEO who combines deep knowledge, collaborative and negotiation skills and the ability to identify opportunities and act on them.

“The Board is unanimous that Dianne is that person”

Dr Jackson said ARACY’s next phase had the potential to bring to fruition the work of so many.

“I’m honoured to be leading the organisation and its 3500 members into the future," she said.

Foodbank SA Welcomes New Boss

Manufacturing, mining and food industry executive Greg Pattinson has been named as the new Chief Executive Officer for Foodbank SA.

According to Foodbank SA, with a history of strategic leadership roles across manufacturing, mining and the food industry Pattinson will help drive Foodbank’s push to increase the supply of food to groups assisting those in crisis and in need of assistance.

Pattinson will replace outgoing CEO Richard Pagliaro who has helped to build Foodbank SA as a leader in food relief in South Australia during the past three years at the helm.

Foodbank SA delivers over 1.8million kilograms of food to charities and community groups across South Australia each year from its locations in Adelaide, the Riverland, Mt Gambier and Whyalla.

Foodbank SA Chair, Simon Schrapel, praised the contributions made by Richard Pagliaro, who is heading into semi-retirement, during his years of service to both the Board and as the CEO of Foodbank SA.

“Richard has led Foodbank with an unwavering passion for the cause of ending hunger in our State. He has helped to build the profile of Foodbank through its associations with the Port Adelaide Football Club and has worked tirelessly to create innovative new approaches to the procurement and delivery of food to those in need,” Schrapel said.

Women’s Housing Veteran Set to Retire

After 28 years leading Women’s Housing Company, CEO Bobbie Townsend has announced she will be retiring at the end of September.

Women’s Housing Company, which provides a safe roof for thousands of vulnerable women in NSW, said the search for a new CEO with the right skills and experience to lead WHC on its next stage of development has begun.

It said Townsend was a pioneer of safe, affordable housing for single, disadvantaged women who struggled to find a home in Sydney’s challenging private rental market.

Under her leadership, the Not for Profit organisation has grown from a handful of tenancies in inner Sydney to about 750 tenancies across 28 local government areas.

Townsend is leaving WHC in the wake of recent successes including:

• registration under the new National Regulatory System for Community Housing;

• the purchase of its first properties, in St Marys; and

• winning a competitive tender as the lead agency to establish the new South

Western Sydney Single Women's Accommodation and Support Service.

WHC Chair Alice Spizzo said Townsend showed great vision and courage in building this organisation and great tenacity in steering it through good times and bad.

“She will be greatly missed by everyone at WHC, our tenants and all who have known her in the community housing sector,” she said.

“We are now seeking a new CEO who can help us plan and deliver on the exciting growth opportunities for WHC and meet the challenges facing all community housing providers.”