Jo Fisher Executive would like to publicly congratulate some of the successful candidates that we have recently placed.

Pro Vice Chancellor International and Development for RMIT

RMIT briefed Jo Fisher Executive to search for a candidate with solid depth in the international education arena, outstanding ability to plan and implement change strategies across an organisation, an inspirational leader tempered with business acumen, a deep understanding of policy and proven business development internationally. Stephen Connelly demonstrated he had the unique mix of skills, vision and experience we were looking for and he was invited to join RMIT to fill this demanding role. Please join us in congratulating Stephen on his new role as Pro Vice Chancellor at RMIT which he commenced in February.

Royal Children's Hospital Foundation - Executive Director

Successful fundraising requires a high level of engagement within all levels of the community. In addition the Royal Children's Hospital constituents are also spread across the medical community and business circles. The Foundation board charged Jo Fisher Executive with the search for a candidate who would bring an ability to build and maintain constructive relationships, had a proven track record in general business or NFP, a solid network of contacts and strong leadership skills. Sue Hunt proved to have the ideal portfolio of skills, influencing capabilities and energy required for this role and will take up the role as Executive Director in August 2010. The team at Jo Fisher Executive is thrilled to have placed Sue in this role.

OUTSTANDING NEW APPOINTMENTS AT VICTORIA POLICE

Victoria Police contributes to a high quality of life for individuals in the community by ensuring a safe and secure society and underpins the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of Victorians. Since Victoria Police first began providing policing services in 1853, its role has expanded from one focused primarily on law enforcement, to one of community assistance, guidance and leadership. Their mission is to provide a safe, secure and orderly society by serving the community and the law. Victoria Police is a large organisation employing over 14,000 people, including Police, Public Servants and Protective Security Officers, serving a population in excess of 5 million.

Graham Ashton is the new Director Corporate Strategy and Governance at Victoria Police.

Graham Ashton has been appointed to this key leadership position and will facilitate the advancement and management of Victoria Police's strategic direction through corporate policy, strategy and planning development, and establish a new governance and risk management framework. Graham is an active member of Victoria Police's Executive Group and Corporate Committee. He will also lead the development and implementation of annual business plans and focus on improving the corporate risk management system. He will manage the CSG Divisions of Strategy and Policy, and Corporate Governance, along with overseeing the secretariat for Victoria Police.

Graham is a distinguished, high integrity law enforcement executive with broad general management skills and close to 15 years experience in senior leadership positions within the police force. Graham has extensive experience in establishing strategic directions for organisations and is highly operationally capable, having commanded complex emergency responses during his career with the Australian Federal Police. As the former Deputy Director of the Office of Police Integrity, Graham brings clear understanding of Victoria Police and its strategic direction, and represents an exceptional addition to the organisation's executive team.

Michael Vanderheide is the new Executive Director Infrastructure at Victoria Police.

Michael Vanderheide has been recently appointed to this newly created leadership role to strategically manage and develop the support infrastructure of Victoria Police’s policing services.  Michael is responsible for the management of buildings, vehicles, equipment, stores, information technology and logistics.  As Executive Director, Infrastructure, Michael will address fundamental IT issues and issues with Information Management, standards and security, stabilising the budgetary and contractual positions, and delivering major application projects.

Michael is a highly experienced shared services and IT executive, having worked in similar senior roles with the ACT Government since 1993. Having held the position of CIO for the ACT Government from 2003 until 2006, Michael became Head of Shared Services, ACT Department of Territory and Municipal Services in 2006, a role he was appointed to after leading a whole of government review that led to the centre’s establishment. Prior to taking up his appointment with Victoria Police, Michael was seconded to the Federal Government to develop a draft shared services strategy. Possessing an engaging and energetic management style built on trust and working with people for common goals, Michael is an outstanding executive with a demonstrated ability to drive change, and is ideally placed to lead Victoria Police into their next stage of exciting infrastructure development.

Dr Karleen Edwards is the new Executive Director
Mental Health and Drugs at the Department of Health (VIC)

The Victorian Department of Health's objective is to enhance and protect the health and wellbeing of all Victorians. It works with the community to provide better access to health, aged care and mental health and drug services. The Mental Health and Drugs Division of the Department is responsible for mental health and drugs policy, planning, strategy and programs that deliver prevention, early intervention, treatment and support to Victorians experiencing mental health or substance misuse issues, and their carers or other family members.

Dr. Karleen Edwards has been appointed to the role of Executive Director Mental Health and Drugs and is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the Victorian Government’s mental health and drugs policy and service delivery systems.  Karleen provides strategic analysis and advice to the Minister for Health and Minister for Mental Health in relation to mental health and drugs matters.  Karleen leads and manages the Mental Health and Drugs Division and is a member of the department’s Executive.

Karleen is a well-established senior executive, with a background in mental health in New Zealand and with extensive management and leadership experience. Karleen was previously the Chief Executive of the Central Northern Adelaide Health Services where she was responsible for leading the largest public healthcare provider and employer in South Australia. With strong experience, credentials, and possessing a demonstrated commitment to mental health reform, Karleen is a highly effective change agent with a contemporary management outlook, and will undoubtedly assist to shape the future direction of mental health and drugs policy in Victoria.

Dr Jane Speight is the new Chair in Behavioural and Social Research in Diabetes at Diabetes Australia / Deakin University.

Deakin University and Diabetes Australia – Victoria have developed a partnership to establish the Australian Centre for Behavioural and Social Research in Diabetes. The purpose of the Centre will be to undertake inquiry-based behavioural and social research and development, which will inform best practice and policy in diabetes prevention, management, awareness and practice. Diabetes Australia – Victoria is the peak consumer body and leading charity representing people affected by diabetes and those at risk, whilst Deakin’s Faculty of Health, Medicine, Nursing and Behavioural Sciences employs approximately 500 staff and teaches over 6000 students.

Dr Jane Speight has been appointed to the Chair in Behavioural and Social Research in Diabetes where she will provide managerial and professional leadership to research and academic staff and students at the Centre. In addition to improving the health and well being of people with diabetes and preventing or slowing its onset, Jane will assist in supporting the strategic directions of Diabetes Australia – Victoria and Deakin University. Jane will also serve as the Foundation Director of the Australian Centre for Behavioural and Social Research in Diabetes and manages the Centre’s staff and resources. She will be involved in the design and implementation of a program of applied behavioural and social research in diabetes, and provide leadership and support in the design and implementation of education, training and service innovations in diabetes within Australia and internationally.

Dr Jane Speight is a Health Psychologist who was previously the principal of Applied Health Psychology (AHP) Research, a consulting organisation that she founded in 2004, and is also an Honorary Associate Research Fellow at Brunel University. With extensive experience in providing consultancy, research and training services to the public and private healthcare sectors, Jane has substantial experience in diabetes research and was the Principal Investigator of a research project to evaluate psychological processes and outcomes in the DAFNE trial in the UK, which resulted in substantial government funding. With an outstanding ability to develop partnerships and collaborations and lead research teams, Jane is ideally placed to establish this new and ground-breaking research centre. 

Maree McPherson is the new Chief Executive Officer at the Victorian Local Governance Association.

The Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) is a unique peak body for councillors, community leaders and local governments working to build and strengthen their capacity to work together for progressive social change. The VLGA aims to provide strategic and responsive leadership to its members and the sector, enabling local governments to be strong leaders of their municipalities and delivering excellence in governance. The VLGA seeks to enable local governments as being the leading force in promoting sustainable and engaged communities.

Maree McPherson has been appointed as Chief Executive where she is responsible for the motivation, leadership and development of a small team of professional policy, project and support staff at the Victorian Local Governance Association. Through the provision of high level strategic advice to the Board, Maree will be the prominent public profile for VLGA within the community, and responsible for the development of new partnerships, members, revenue streams and member services across the local government, state government and community sectors.

Maree has over twenty years experience in the not-for-profit and statutory services sectors, primarily in the regional development, family and children’s services, rehabilitation and disability services sectors.  Previously the Executive Officer of the Gippsland Area Consultative Committee, Maree has well developed senior management skills coupled with an understanding of the local government sector, and how it sits within the broader political and funding landscape. Maree has been able to forge strong relationships across all levels of government and has proven an effective broker of multi-sector partnerships. Possessing a consultative style and an innovative approach to developing organisation profiles and funding bases, Maree will undoubtedly drive the successful future delivery of the VLGA vision.