Leadership Victoria Chairperson, Christine Nixon AO, APM, is pleased to announce the appointment of Katherine Ellis as Chief Executive Officer.
Katherine has over 30 years’ diverse leadership experience across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, and a strong track record of developing leaders and connecting them across sectors to achieve collective impact.
“The Board conducted an extensive search process and was delighted with the wonderful range of applicants. Katherine stood out for her understanding of Leadership VIctoria’s purpose, and history. But most important was her demonstrated commitment to community leadership” says Christine Nixon.
Katherine will be taking up her role as CEO from the 31st of July, 2023
Katherine is a graduate of Leadership Victoria’s flagship Williamson Community Leadership Program (2007), which she celebrates as a pivotal point in her life.
“Williamson gave me space to reflect, think through leadership challenges I was facing, and identify the path forward for my career. It opened my eyes to parts of the Victorian community I had known nothing about, and also gave me new set of personal and professional friendships that I still hold dear today.
“I know many alumni feel the same, and I am truly honoured and excited to have the chance to lead LV and help bring that amazing opportunity to more people.
“We are living in extraordinarily challenging times, and more than ever, Victoria needs leaders who value adaptive approaches and collaboration.
“I look forward to working with the impressive and diverse LV community, especially the staff, board and alumni, to help strengthen leadership and connection across Victoria” says Katherine.
Katherine comes to LV from Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic), where as CEO she has forged a stronger youth sector and led innovative growth, with the challenging backdrop of the pandemic and climate disasters. She previously worked in London as Director of Youth Affairs at the Commonwealth of Nations, focused on youth empowerment and leadership policy and programs across 53 countries. Her career also includes five years leading and transforming the Reach Foundation, as well as providing strategic advice to a variety of organisations and academic institutions.
Earlier, Katherine spent over a decade in the private sector, working both in Australia and internationally in a variety of analysis, strategy and corporate social responsibility roles.
Katherine holds a Master in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School, a Master in e-Business, a Bachelor of Commerce, and a Diploma of Youth Work.
Over the coming months, the LV team will be in touch with opportunities to connect with Katherine as we continue to adapt and adjust to new ways of engaging with our communities and our stakeholders.
“We are excited to have Katherine leading the next phase for LV and I hope that you will join me in extending her a very warm welcome.
“I also wish to thank our Chief Operating Officer Scott Ko, for his leadership as the Acting CEO since Sally Hines departure. Scott will continue in this role until Katherine joins us at the end of July, 2023” says Christine.
– Christine Nixon, Leadership Victoria Board Chair
