CEO of Red Cross: “I lead in a way that reflects who I am as a person.”

CEO of Red Cross Judy Slatyer has had a diverse career.

Slatyer has worked across sectors from CEO of Lonely Planet to COO of WWF in Switzerland and has now returned to Australia for her new role.

Slatyer started as CEO of Red Cross six weeks ago and has said that her transition has been smooth sailing.

Third Sector spoke to Slatyer to find out more about her new role, upcoming initiatives for Red Cross and the differences between the corporate and NFP sector.

What made you enter the NFP sector?

A constructive challenge from my dad to help make the world a better place. [Also] in my family we were brought up to ask what you can do for your country, not what your country can do for you.

What was it like working for WWF?

It was fantastic. It is a unique organisation that focuses on how humans can be at harmony with nature. The people are terrific. It is well respected and independent.

Is your leadership style different for Red Cross than it was for WWF?

My feeling is that I am the same person. I lead in a way that reflects who I am as a person. Mostly it is the same – seeking to understand, looking for solutions and helping others reach their goals.

You only started this role in February. Did you transition easily?

So far yes. I have had a fantastic first six weeks. I have taken the time to visit projects and services and spend as much time as I can talking to volunteers, members and staff.

You also worked for Lonely Planet and Telstra – both are for-profit. Is working for the NFP sector different to the corporate sector?

I haven’t found it very different. Partly because of the way I think about my role in the organisation. It is about the objectives and goals you have and how you go about achieving them and that’s very similar.

What is different about the NFP sector is working with others for great impact [and being] much more intertwined with the community. [The NFP sector] is more linked to what is going on in Australia as a whole as opposed to the corporate sector.

What are some current initiatives that the Red Cross is involved with in terms of aid for other countries?

We don’t actually call this ‘aid’ but one of our main focuses at the moment is working with our National Red Cross Society partners in Fiji who are recovering from the cyclone. We ran an appeal in Australia. Most of the focus of that appeal is how we help Fiji recover. This is the primary [initiative] I have mostly been involved with.

What do you see for the future of Red Cross?

For my first six weeks, I have spent time with volunteers, partners and clients- seeing what we do. I think the work that we do with Red Cross is fantastic. It is very behind the scenes and supportive of the community. There is a lot of opportunity, but I am still working with the team to see what the focus will be.