MEDIA RELEASE
Vision 2020 Australia is delighted to announce that Carla Northam has taken up the role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 4 July, 2016.
Ms Northam joins the organisation after nearly five years as CEO of national peak body Family Day Care Australia, where she significantly grew the organisation’s profile and membership.
Announcing Ms Northam’s appointment, Vision 2020 Australia Chair Amanda Vanstone said: “Ms Northam’s track record as a leader of a large peak body, her expansive career in management and understanding of advocacy is impressive.
“Ms Northam was chosen from a strong field of excellent candidates. Her strong collaborative leadership style, commercial business experience and ability to grow the organisation’s reach make her an ideal candidate to lead Vision 2020 Australia into its next phase,” Ms Vanstone said.
Ms Vanstone said Ms Northam’s background in the health area gained through her senior roles at the Vision Eye Institute and Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute will be highly valued in her new role.
Ms Northam also possesses a highly developed political acumen and has extensive experience engaging with the Federal Government on advocacy issues on behalf of members, recognised through an appointment to a Ministerial Advisory Committee.
Reflecting on her appointment, Ms Northam said: “I am both honoured and excited to have been selected to lead this dynamic organisation.”
“I am really moved by the organisation’s strong vision and mission to eliminate avoidable blindness and vision loss and am looking forward to collaborating with members to help achieve this goal,” Ms Northam said.
Ms Northam said she hoped to use her skills to build on the great work already done at Vision 2020 Australia. “My goal will be to build on Vision 2020 Australia’s profile and ensure the viability and sustainability of the organisation well into the future,” she said.
Ms Northam replaces outgoing CEO, Jennifer Gersbeck.
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For more information: Louise Rudzki at Vision 2020 Australia
03 9656 2020, 0414 784 359 or lrudzki@vision2020australia.org.au
About Vision 2020 Australia
Established in October 2000, Vision 2020 Australia is part of VISION 2020: The Right to Sight, a global initiative of the World Health Organization and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. Vision 2020 Australia is the peak body for the eye health and vision care sector, representing around 50 member organisations involved in: local and global eye care; health promotion; low vision support; vision rehabilitation; eye research; professional assistance and community support.