Former foster care CEO joins Foyer Foundation
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Katie Hooper has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Foyer Foundation, the national not-for-profit organisation that connects homeless young people with education and housing.
Hooper has a rich history in justice and human services working with the child and family services, disability, mental health, health and education, and in Aboriginal reconciliation.
She most recently served as CEO of Foster Care Association of Victoria, the peak body supporting and advocating for Victoria’s 2000 foster carers.
During her ten years as CEO, Hooper oversaw the Foster Care Association’s growth. This included growth in member engagement, funding increase and clarity of purpose. She advocated and delivered change to the foster care community and provided expertise to governments in key policy and program decisions.
“Katie’s deep understanding of vulnerable communities – particularly youth – and working for change with stakeholders, agencies and with governments made her the ideal candidate to lead the Foyer Foundation and the Youth Foyer movement into its next chapter,’’ Keith Bryant, Chair of the Foyer Foundation said.
The Foyer Foundation’s network of eight accredited Youth Foyers across Australia provides accommodation and pathways for education for 16 to 25 year–olds who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The number of accredited Youth Foyers is likely to double in in the next five years.
“I’m tremendously excited to begin working with the Foyer Foundation and young people engaging in education and being supported with housing to break the cycle of disadvantage and service dependence,’’ Hooper said. “What could be better than working with young people by providing a supportive place to live and access to education so they can thrive and reach independence?”
Keith Bryant paid tribute to the Foyer Foundation’s first CEO, Sinead Gibney Hughes who stepped down from the role in December 2019.
“Sinead was our first Executive Officer and did an excellent job building, with the Board, the current agenda and strategy of the Foyer Foundation. Her efforts have laid a wonderful foundation for our future work,” he said.
Pearl Dy is a community manager and journalist. She is passionate about business and development particularly involving not-for-profits, charity and social entrepreneurship.
