New CEO for The Centre for Social Impact
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Professor Kristy Muir will be replacing Dr Andrew Young as the CEO of The Centre for Social Impact.
Muir is CSI’s current Research Director, and is a leading Australian social policy academic and elected member of UNSW Australia’s Council. She won the 2013 UNSW Staff Excellence Award for Senior Leadership, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and an alumnus of the Sydney Leadership Program
Muir is also published widely in international and Australian policy, sociology, social work, history and public health journals, and in broader media.
CSI Board Chair Richard Henry said, “It is with great pleasure that we appoint Professor Kristy Muir to the role of Chief Executive Officer. She has spent her career working closely with government, not-for-profits, corporates and philanthropic organisations to help understand, measure and find innovative solutions to some of society’s most intractable, complex social problems.”
“She is very well placed to steer CSI through the next phase, as we continue to work to create social impact, here and internationally. On behalf of CSI’s Board, staff and stakeholders, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Young for his passion, commitment and performance in leading CSI over the past five years,” he said.
Third Sector had a chat to Kristy Muir about her new position.
TS: What are your feelings about Andrew young leaving?
KM: Under Dr Andrew Young’s leadership CSI developed and implemented the 2012-17 Strategic Plan, built strong foundations in education and research and, importantly, established significant collaborations with a wide range of government departments, not-for-profits and corporate organisations. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Andrew for three of his five years at CSI. Together, and in partnership with others, we’ve achieved great things. Andrew is one of the smartest people I’ve worked with; he is strongly committed to social impact and he’ll go on to continue to make an exceptional contribution to society in his future roles. I wish him all the best.
TS: What are your feelings about your new role/ what makes you so passionate about CSI?
KM: I’ve always been driven by social change and social justice, ever since I was a teenager. My career has focused on better understanding and addressing key social issues and being able to measure whether, when and where we are making a difference to people’s lives. My first job was working in disability services; I’ve worked as a researcher in the not-for-profit sector; and I’ve built an academic career in social policy where I’ve worked collaboratively with governments, not-for-profits, corporates and philanthropy to influence social change.
I moved to CSI after spending three years as Associate Dean Research in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences because of CSI’s mission to be a catalyst for social impact. It’s this vision that I’m still here to help fulfil. CSI is a unique organisation and I’m really thrilled, humbled and privileged to be its next CEO.
I’m passionate about the work that CSI has left to do. As we enter our 10th year, I’m envisaging a future with a thriving Centre for Social Impact that is the “go to” for the social purpose sector in Australia, as well as putting CSI on the international map, as we help to deliver social impact. Most of all, I’m looking forward to partnering with talented, passionate people and organisations across sectors to influence social change.
TS: Are there any plans/changes you have in mind for the organisation?
KM: We will continue to be a thought leader, a leading educator and partner with – and for – the social purpose sector. As soon as I take up the role in early January 2017, I will commence a strategic planning process that engages our stakeholders to develop the organisation’s vision for CSI’s next five years. From there, we’ll develop an implementation plan.
TS:Will you still be able to continue any of your work from your previous position?
KM: The Chief Executive Office role is a full time position and, as such CSI will recruit a new Research Director. I continue to hold my title of Professor at UNSW and will continue to undertake some research that aims to better understand and address complex social problems.
Muir will begin as CEO from 3 January after Young departs at the end of 2016.
