Corporate Ladder: Your weekly guide to executive appointments in South Australia

New CEO to lead UnitingSA

Aged care and community services not-for-profit UnitingSA has appointed Helen Sheppard as its new CEO.

Sheppard has more than 20 years’ experience across the not-for-profit sector and is currently the CEO of UnitingCare Wesley Bowden, a role she has held for the past five years.

Prior to that, Sheppard was state manager of Mind Australia and has held senior and executive roles with Australian Red Cross, SYC, Royal District Nursing Service SA and Anglicare SA.

In the new role, Sheppard will have oversight of UnitingSA’s community, aged care, housing and support services.

“Helen is an outstanding leader with the experience, values and vision to guide UnitingSA into its next chapter,” UnitingSA board chair Gael Fraser said.

Senior appointments at Uniting Communities 

Not-for-profit organisation Uniting Communities has announced three senior leadership appointments across its marketing and community services portfolios.

Josh Barton has joined the organisation as head of marketing, communications and advocacy, where he will lead partnerships and fundraising functions.

Barton has more than 20 years’ experience across marketing and communications including as executive marketing manager and fundraising at Novita.

He was also marketing and communications manager of global corporate communications at international not-for-profit DKMS in Cologne, Germany.

Bryan Atherton has been appointed head of therapeutic services, where he will lead specialist counselling, mental health and therapeutic support services.

Atherton has more than 15 years’ experience across community and health services, including mental health, homelessness, youth, and family relationship portfolios.

He was previously Uniting Communities senior manager of community services and is on the board of directors for the Mental Health Coalition of SA.

Orla Matthews has been appointed head of community impact, where she will be responsible for leading alcohol and other drug support, child and family services, and community legal services.

Matthews is an experienced leader in not-for-profit and government sectors and was previously senior manager of community services at Uniting Communities.

She has also been program manager at Hutt St Centre, alliance senior manager for UnitingSA, and a social worker for the Department of Child Protection.

“Josh, Bryan and Orla each bring considerable experience, strong values and a genuine commitment to creating positive impact,” Uniting Communities chief operating officer Kirsty Wallman said.

 

Chief Financial Officer for LAI Group, one of Australia’s leading providers of switchboards, switchrooms, support structures and energy services solutions, employing around 800 people nationally. Leading finance, ICT, cyber security, human resources and workplace health and safety, this newly created executive role partners with the Managing Director to support growth and organisational performance. The role suits a commercially astute executive with strong strategic, operational and governance credentials gained in a complex multi-site environment. Principal for St Martins Lutheran College, a thriving independent Christian R-12 school in Mount Gambier serving approximately 815 students across two campuses. Guiding the College’s strategic direction and performance, the role provides leadership across educational outcomes, operations, community engagement and governance while building on a strong legacy of success. An accomplished educational leader and committed Christian, the appointee will bring pastoral and pedagogical credibility, strong communication skills and a collaborative leadership style.

EMA Consulting head marketing appointment

EMA Consulting has appointed Brad Keighran as its new head of sales and marketing.

Keighran joins the consultancy with senior leadership experience spanning the media, advertising, marketing and digital product sectors.

He was previously general manager of Care and Co Media and was group client director for global media network Wavemaker ANZ.

He has held management roles where he was responsible for leading commercial growth and helping organisations navigate changing market conditions and emerging technologies.

“Brad’s breadth of experience across media, marketing and digital gives him a real edge in understanding what drives growth for clients in today’s market,” managing director Ashleigh Smith said.

New chair at Flinders Foundation

Flinders Foundation has announced the appointment of Rob Snowdon OAM as chair of its board.

Snowdon has extensive governance and community leadership experience, is principal of Rob Snowdon Advisory, and is a director at The Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of South Australia.

He currently serves as director of the Specialised Assistance School for Youth and was appointed as chair of Power Community Limited in 2022.

Snowdon is the former general manager of football operations at both the Sydney Swans and Port Adelaide Football Clubs.

“I’m excited to join an organisation with such a remarkable history and an ambitious vision for the future,” Snowdon said.

SYC board chair announcement

Australian community services organisation SYC has announced the appointment of Arabella Branson as its new board chair.

Branson is an experienced chair and board director across various sectors, is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has been a non-executive director of SYC since 2007.

She has practised as a lawyer in commercial transactional and advisory law for more than two decades, establishing her own commercial advisory practice 15 years ago.

Branson has also been chair of Oakbank Racing Club, Heart Foundation local advisory board, and a board member for Regional Development Australia Adelaide Hills Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island Inc.

“Arabella is held in high regard by the Board for her experience and expertise, as well as her inclusive, consultative and respectful leadership style. Her appointment by the board was unanimous,” SYC board director Paul Di Iulio said.