The Board of Opportunity International Australia has announced that Meredith Scott has been appointed as its Chief Executive Officer, with effect from 3 April 2018.

Scott currently is a longstanding senior partner in the Sydney office of the global professional services firm, EY, with responsibilities across Asia Pacific and beyond.

She is Deputy Chair of both Wesley Community Services Limited and Pymble Ladies College, and served on the Finance and Audit Committee of the University of Sydney for ten years. She has a Bachelor of Economics degree from the University of Sydney and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Opportunity International Australia Chair, Edward Kerr, congratulated Scott on her appointment.

“Meredith is an exceptional leader, with over thirty years of achievement in Australia and overseas. As well as being respected within the business community, Meredith serves in a voluntary capacity for several not-for-profit organisations, which greatly value her skills and advice,” he said.

“Our Board looks forward to working with Meredith as she continues our efforts to help families free themselves from poverty, with hope, dignity and purpose.”

Scott said, “As an economist, it’s exciting to be appointed to lead Opportunity International Australia’s team. I love the way Opportunity provides the tools to help families break the cycle of poverty. The organisation’s values align so closely with mine, and I’m greatly looking forward to using the skills I’ve developed in my numerous roles at EY to help alleviate poverty in the developing world.”

Robert Dunn will leave his role as CEO as he was appointed as Global Executive Director of Opportunity International and will continue in this role, based in Australia. Dunn will continue as Opportunity Australia CEO pending Scott taking up the role.