Welcome Aboard, Lisa Harvey-Smith! Out For Australia's New CEO 🌟
We're beyond thrilled to announce that Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith (she/her) is stepping in as our new CEO, effective 1 July 2024! 🎉
Lisa comes to us with a stellar background in academia and a passion for equity, diversity, and inclusion. As the Australian Government’s inaugural Women in STEM Ambassador from 2018-2024, she’s been a driving force for positive change, advising both governments and businesses on how to foster inclusive environments. Now, she's bringing that same energy and vision to Out For Australia.
A Visionary Leader with a Heart for Mentorship 💖
In her own words, Lisa shares, "Joining Out For Australia is more than a role; it's a commitment to foster an environment where every LGBTQIA+ young person feels empowered to bring their authentic self to work. I'm excited to lead us into a future where inclusivity is not just an aspiration but a reality."
Lisa's vision for Out For Australia is all about expanding our impact and making sure every LGBTQIA+ young person feels genuinely supported. She knows that our volunteers are the true heroes, the backbone of our organisation, and she's ready to work hand-in-hand with them to create safe, supportive spaces for everyone.
A Word from Our Chair, David Brine 🌈
David Brine, our Chair and non-executive Director, shares his excitement about this new chapter: "Over recent years, we’ve seen the demand for OFA’s support continue to grow. The importance of role modelling and building skills through activities like mentoring is so important for the queer community navigating early stages of their careers - especially coming out of the pandemic.
As a board, we thought about the long-term growth of the organisation and in 2023 agreed to go out to the market to seek a new CEO. We wanted someone who would bring fresh thinking and drive, to take OFA into new communities - whilst staying true to our core vision.
We were impressed with the breadth of applicants, but extremely excited when we met Lisa and heard her experience and ideas. We can’t wait for her to get started, working with our interim CEO, and meet our partners, community groups, and of course, lead our volunteers. This will take OFA into our next era."
Looking Ahead: Lisa's Plans for OFA 🌟
Lisa Harvey-Smith is ready to roll up her sleeves and dive into her new role. She plans to build capacity within OFA, ensuring that we can continue to offer Australia’s premier workplace mentoring program for LGBTQIA+ people. She’s all about creating safe, inclusive spaces in workplaces across the country, and she knows our incredible volunteers and partners will be key in making this happen.
Get Involved and Stay Tuned! 📢
This is just the beginning of an exciting journey.
Together, the entire Out For Australia team express our deepest gratitude to Heather Preston, whose leadership as interim CEO has been instrumental in navigating this period of growth and transition with unwavering dedication and inspiring commitment to our community.
From here, we can't wait for you all to meet Lisa, share your stories, and be part of this amazing new chapter for Out For Australia. Stay tuned to our social media channels for updates, events, and more ways to get involved.
Let’s give Lisa a warm welcome!
