Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Appoints New Chair

At the Centre’s first virtual AGM, our deputy chairperson Dr Lisa J. Griffiths acknowledged our outgoing Chairperson Paul McDonald. Paul is well known to most of our members having been a member of the Centre’s Board since November 2011. The Centre’s constitution stipulates that board members step down from the Board after 9 years’ service.

Paul has been the Board Chairperson since 18th December 2015 & was the Vice Chair before then.

Paul is one of the most active members of the Child Youth and Families Community Sector. He has been an intrinsic part of the fabric of the Centre for the last 9 years.

Paul’s contribution to sector development, through capacity building projects and preparedness to trial new initiatives to affect change for vulnerable children and families is a sign of great leadership. An example of this was Paul and Anglicare’s leadership, in conjunction with the Centre, in advocating to extend the age of out-of-home care from 18 to 21. Paul will be missed on the Centre’s board.

Succeeding Paul as the new Chairperson is Dr Lisa J. Griffiths. Lisa has served on the Centre’s board for 5 years and as Deputy Chair for 3 years. Lisa has chaired the Strategy and Governance Committee, which led the development of the Centre’s new strategic plan. Lisa holds roles on key government committees such as RIMAG, the ACF and as the co-chair of the West Division Executive Roundtable.

Lisa also serves on ACWA’s board of directors in NSW and is both a graduate and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Lisa is the Chief Executive Officer with OzChild and is passionate about Evidence-Based Leadership and has led the introduction of Evidence Based Programs in Australia.

Lisa is held in very high regard across the Sector and will bring passion, expertise, and strong leadership to the role.