Peter van Vliet, CEO of the Migration Institute of Australia, took on the position on 1 July from Voula Messimeri AM MAICD, who stepped down from the SSI board after four years.
With a long career working in social services and social policy, as well as with migrant and refugee communities, van Vliet holds a Master of Arts, a Graduate Diploma in Corporate Governance and a Graduate Diploma in Migration Law. He is a member of the Australian Institute of For Purpose Leaders (MAIFPL) and is a registered migration agent.
Mr van Vliet has worked as a senior executive in the Commonwealth and Victorian governments and has led several other community organisations, including the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia and the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria. He joined the SSI board in November 2023 and was previously the CEO of International Social Service Australia, a non-profit specialising in legal, mediation and social work services for children and families across borders.
SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis congratulated van Vliet on his appointment as board chair and thanked Messimeri for her strategic leadership over the past four years.
“SSI is extremely fortunate to have a dedicated and experienced board of directors who understand the challenges faced by our sector and are passionate about providing strategic leadership to our organisation,” Roumeliotis said. “Mr van Vliet has a deep understanding of social policy and migration law and much experience as a senior executive leader. SSI’s own executive team is very much looking forward to working with him, harnessing his insight, experience and skills to do the very best for our clients and communities.”
Roumeliotis said Messimeri had served tirelessly as board chair since December 2021, taking over at a time when the social services sector was in the throes of COVID-19 and pandemic-driven international border closures had caused prolonged uncertainty for the organisation.
“Ms Messimeri’s wealth of experience from the community and multicultural services sector brought to SSI a vision and careful stewardship that helped us adapt and emerge stronger than ever,” she said. “With the full confidence of the board and staff, Ms Messimeri has helped strengthen SSI and contributed greatly towards helping us achieve the organisation’s social mission. It has been an absolute pleasure working with her as board chair and director, and we thank her for the amazing contributions she has made since February 2021. From everyone at SSI, we wish her all the best in her future endeavours.”
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Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.
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