AHISA announces new Chief Executive, Beth Blackwood
The Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA) has appointed Beth Blackwood as Chief Executive, commencing January 2016.
She has twice been a member of the AHISA Board of Directors from 2001–2007 and 2009–11, and was Chair of AHISA’s WA Branch for two years.
“Beth’s depth of experience in school leadership, her service to AHISA at the national level and to the independent sector more widely, will enable AHISA to meet important strategic goals for member services and support its advocacy initiatives,” said Philip Heath, National Chair of AHISA.
Ms Blackwood is currently in her eighteenth year as Principal of Presbyterian Ladies’ College in Perth.
Before becoming Principal of PLC, Perth, Ms Blackwood was Deputy Principal of St Michael’s Collegiate School in Hobart and Director of Boarding at Methodist Ladies’ College, Melbourne.
She has also served as President and Executive Board member of the Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia and as a member of many committees and working parties for the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia.
Samantha Evans joins Horizon Housing as new COO
Queensland’s largest social and affordable housing provider, Horizon Housing, has welcomed Samantha Evans as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Ms Evans has nearly 20 years’ experience in the housing sector, both internationally and in Australia. Working in the housing association sector in the UK, Evans headed up the Research and Innovation division of the Housing Corporation. In Australia, she has worked with the Queensland Department of Housing and Public Works, and the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute.
“Welcoming Sam to the team with her years’ of experience in asset management, tenancy management and property development, as well as working in partnership with all levels of government to support the delivery of high quality, affordable housing will help strengthen our foundations to push farther afield into other states,” said Jason Cubit, CEO of Horizon Housing.
Ms Evans is excited to be working as part of the Horizon Housing team.
“I want to enhance the service that we provide to our owners and tenants while building the capacity of the company to do more not only in Queensland but nationwide,” she commented.
National Stroke Foundation welcomes new Consumer Council members
The National Stroke Foundation has appointed four new faces to its Consumer Council, full-time carer Julie Collins and stroke survivors Rebecca Schmidt, Richard Haley, and Jennifer Muller.
The National Stroke Foundation’s Consumer Council members draw on their personal experiences with stroke to advise the Foundation as to the needs and challenges of stroke survivors and carers.
Dr Erin Lalor, CEO of the National Stroke Foundation, said the appointments would help ensure the Foundation continues to best represent Australians impacted by stroke.
“The Consumer Council is a crucial part of the National Stroke Foundation, providing us with a greater insight into what it’s like to be a stroke survivor and a carer in Australia.
“Despite our new members having very different experiences and backgrounds, they have all seen first-hand the truly devastating impact of stroke,” said Dr Lalor.