20 Charity CEOs Across Australia and New Zealand
- Jonno White
- Aug 12
- 8 min read
Introduction
Charity chief executives make hard work look simple from the outside. This list brings together 20 current charity CEOs and chief executives across Australia and New Zealand from official organisation sources.
Why charity leadership matters
Charity leadership spans food relief, child rights, health, mental health, conservation, housing and social services. The list is a sourced sample, not a ranking.
20 charity CEOs across Australia and New Zealand
1. Mat Tinkler
Chief Executive Officer, Save the Children Australia
Mat Tinkler is chief executive officer at Save the Children Australia, a national child rights, aid and community organisation in Australia. The official source provides the role and organisation wording used here. That keeps the comparison grounded in what each charity actually does.
The official executive page places him at the head of an organisation focused on children’s rights, safety and wellbeing across Australia and overseas. It also shows why charity leadership is not one uniform job. The useful comparison is the organisation’s purpose, geography and accountability, not a popularity ranking.
Official source: https://www.savethechildren.org.au/about-us/our-team/our-executive-team
2. James Goth
Chief Executive Officer, OzHarvest
James Goth is chief executive officer at OzHarvest, a national food rescue and food relief organisation in Australia. The official source provides the role and organisation wording used here. That keeps the comparison grounded in what each charity actually does.
OzHarvest says he leads about 400 staff and 3,000 volunteers, and took the chief executive role in March 2024. It also shows why charity leadership is not one uniform job. The useful comparison is the organisation’s purpose, geography and accountability, not a popularity ranking.
Official source: https://www.ozharvest.org/company/staff/james-goth/
3. Kylea Tink
Chief Executive Officer, Foodbank Australia
Kylea Tink is chief executive officer at Foodbank Australia, a national food relief network in Australia. The official source provides the role and organisation wording used here. That keeps the comparison grounded in what each charity actually does.
Foodbank announced her appointment as the successor to outgoing chief executive Brianna Casey, placing her at the centre of Australia’s largest food relief network. It also shows why charity leadership is not one uniform job. The useful comparison is the organisation’s purpose, geography and accountability, not a popularity ranking.
Official source: https://www.foodbank.org.au/foodbank-australia-announces-new-ceo-kylea-tink/
4. Sharon Callister
Chief Executive Officer, Mission Australia
Sharon Callister is chief executive officer at Mission Australia, a national community services organisation in Australia. The official source provides the role and organisation wording used here. That keeps the comparison grounded in what each charity actually does.
Mission Australia identifies her as chief executive and notes her leadership across community services and aged care after her appointment in 2022. It also shows why charity leadership is not one uniform job. The useful comparison is the organisation’s purpose, geography and accountability, not a popularity ranking.
Official source: https://www.missionaustralia.com.au/who-we-are/our-people/our-leadership/sharon-callister/
5. Doug Taylor
Chief Executive Officer, The Smith Family
Doug Taylor is chief executive officer at The Smith Family, a national education and disadvantage charity in Australia. The official source provides the role and organisation wording used here. That keeps the comparison grounded in what each charity actually does.
The Smith Family appointed him effective 9 August 2021 to lead its work with children and young people experiencing educational disadvantage. It also shows why charity leadership is not one uniform job. The useful comparison is the organisation’s purpose, geography and accountability, not a popularity ranking.
Official source: https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/media/centre/releases/2021/appointment-of-new-chief-executive-officer-for-the-smith-family
6. Susanne Legena
Chief Executive Officer, Plan International Australia
Susanne Legena is chief executive officer at Plan International Australia, an international development and girls’ rights organisation in Australia. The official source provides the role and organisation wording used here. That keeps the comparison grounded in what each charity actually does.
The organisation’s executive and board page places her in the chief executive role while Plan continues its girls’ rights and youth empowerment work. It also shows why charity leadership is not one uniform job. The useful comparison is the organisation’s purpose, geography and accountability, not a popularity ranking.
Official source: https://www.plan.org.au/about-us/accountability/our-executive-and-board/
7. Jason Trethowan
Chief Executive Officer, headspace
Jason Trethowan is chief executive officer at headspace, a national youth mental health service network in Australia. The official source provides the role and organisation wording used here. That keeps the comparison grounded in what each charity actually does.
headspace says he has led the organisation since January 2017, overseeing more than 160 centres alongside digital and service programs. It also shows why charity leadership is not one uniform job. The useful comparison is the organisation’s purpose, geography and accountability, not a popularity ranking.
Official source: https://headspace.org.au/our-organisation/our-people/executive-team/
8. Georgie Harman
Chief Executive Officer, Beyond Blue
Georgie Harman is chief executive officer at Beyond Blue, a national mental health and suicide prevention organisation in Australia. The official source provides the role and organisation wording used here. That keeps the comparison grounded in what each charity actually does.
Beyond Blue identifies her as chief executive and credits her leadership across mental health promotion, suicide prevention and public health innovation. It also shows why charity leadership is not one uniform job. The useful comparison is the organisation’s purpose, geography and accountability, not a popularity ranking.
Official source: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/about/media/media-releases/kings-birthday-honour-for-beyond-blue-ceo-georgie-harman
9. Kevin Barrow
Chief Executive Officer, The Benevolent Society
Kevin Barrow is chief executive officer at The Benevolent Society, a national social care and community services organisation in Australia. The official source provides the role and organisation wording used here. That keeps the comparison grounded in what each charity actually does.
The current management page lists him as chief executive after his 2025 appointment, with the organisation delivering social care and support services. It also shows why charity leadership is not one uniform job. The useful comparison is the organisation’s purpose, geography and accountability, not a popularity ranking.
Official source: https://www.benevolent.org.au/about-us/management-team
10. Tim Allard
Chief Executive Officer, Australian Wildlife Conservancy
Tim Allard is chief executive officer at Australian Wildlife Conservancy, a national conservation organisation in Australia. The official source provides the role and organisation wording used here. That keeps the comparison grounded in what each charity actually does.
The leadership page identifies him as chief executive and describes a conservation model built around large-scale wildlife sanctuaries and field programs. It also shows why charity leadership is not one uniform job. The useful comparison is the organisation’s purpose, geography and accountability, not a popularity ranking.
Official source: https://www.australianwildlife.org/about-us/leadership
11. Nicola Coom
Chief Executive, Cancer Society New Zealand
Nicola Coom is chief executive at Cancer Society New Zealand, a national cancer support and advocacy organisation in New Zealand. The official source provides the role and organisation wording used here. That keeps the comparison grounded in what each charity actually does.
Cancer Society New Zealand confirmed her in the permanent chief executive role in September 2025 during a period of organisational change and service integration. It also shows why charity leadership is not one uniform job. The useful comparison is the organisation’s purpose, geography and accountability, not a popularity ranking.
Official source: https://www.cancer.org.nz/about-us/latest-news/ce-confirmed-in-permanent-role/
12. Peter Bradley
Chief Executive, Hato Hone St John
Peter Bradley is chief executive at Hato Hone St John, a national ambulance and community health organisation in New Zealand. The official source provides the role and organisation wording used here. That keeps the comparison grounded in what each charity actually does.
Hato Hone St John’s leadership profile says he has been chief executive since 2012, leading ambulance, first aid and community health services. It also shows why charity leadership is not one uniform job. The useful comparison is the organisation’s purpose, geography and accountability, not a popularity ranking.
Official source: https://www.stjohn.org.nz/about-st-john/our-people/governance/leadership-group/peter-bradley/
13. Julie Chapman
Chief Executive and Founder, KidsCan
Julie Chapman is chief executive and founder at KidsCan, a national child wellbeing and education charity in New Zealand. The official source provides the role and organisation wording used here. That keeps the comparison grounded in what each charity actually does.
KidsCan traces its beginning to her 2005 founding effort and says its support now reaches about 1,500 schools and early childhood centres. It also shows why charity leadership is not one uniform job. The useful comparison is the organisation’s purpose, geography and accountability, not a popularity ranking.
Official source: https://www.kidscan.org.nz/about-us/who-we-are
14. Matt Reid
Chief Executive, Barnardos Aotearoa
Matt Reid is chief executive at Barnardos Aotearoa, a national child and family services organisation in New Zealand. The official source provides the role and organisation wording used here. That keeps the comparison grounded in what each charity actually does.
Barnardos Aotearoa’s leadership profile places him in the chief executive role across a national child and family support organisation. It also shows why charity leadership is not one uniform job. The useful comparison is the organisation’s purpose, geography and accountability, not a popularity ranking.
Official source: https://barnardos.org.nz/about/matt-reid
15. Shaun Robinson
Chief Executive, Mental Health Foundation New Zealand
Shaun Robinson is chief executive at Mental Health Foundation New Zealand, a national mental health promotion organisation in New Zealand. The official source provides the role and organisation wording used here. That keeps the comparison grounded in what each charity actually does.
The current team page identifies him as chief executive of a national organisation focused on mental health promotion, prevention and public education. It also shows why charity leadership is not one uniform job. The useful comparison is the organisation’s purpose, geography and accountability, not a popularity ranking.
Official source: https://mentalhealth.org.nz/team
16. Helen Robinson
Manutaki and Chief Executive, Auckland City Mission
Helen Robinson is manutaki and chief executive at Auckland City Mission, an urban housing, health and social services charity in New Zealand. The official source provides the role and organisation wording used here. That keeps the comparison grounded in what each charity actually does.
The Mission’s team page places her over integrated housing, health, food and social services, including the HomeGround model. It also shows why charity leadership is not one uniform job. The useful comparison is the organisation’s purpose, geography and accountability, not a popularity ranking.
Official source: https://aucklandcitymission.org.nz/about-us/our-team/
17. Stella Avramopoulos
Chief Executive Officer, Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand
Stella Avramopoulos is chief executive officer at Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, a trans-Tasman social justice organisation in Australia and New Zealand. The official source provides the role and organisation wording used here. That keeps the comparison grounded in what each charity actually does.
Good Shepherd identifies her as chief executive and describes a long not-for-profit career centred on women, girls and families. It also shows why charity leadership is not one uniform job. The useful comparison is the organisation’s purpose, geography and accountability, not a popularity ranking.
Official source: https://goodshep.org.au/about-us/people/
18. Ben Edwards
Chief Executive Officer, UnitingCare Queensland
Ben Edwards is chief executive officer at UnitingCare Queensland, a Queensland health and community services organisation in Australia. The official source provides the role and organisation wording used here. That keeps the comparison grounded in what each charity actually does.
UnitingCare Queensland lists him as chief executive after commencing in January 2026 across health, community and human services. It also shows why charity leadership is not one uniform job. The useful comparison is the organisation’s purpose, geography and accountability, not a popularity ranking.
Official source: https://www.unitingcareqld.com.au/about-us/governance/executive-team
19. Hang Vo
Chief Executive Officer, Sacred Heart Mission
Hang Vo is chief executive officer at Sacred Heart Mission, a homelessness and social inclusion organisation in Australia. The official source provides the role and organisation wording used here. That keeps the comparison grounded in what each charity actually does.
Sacred Heart Mission describes her as a sector leader with more than 25 years’ experience and a strong focus on inclusion and lived experience. It also shows why charity leadership is not one uniform job. The useful comparison is the organisation’s purpose, geography and accountability, not a popularity ranking.
Official source: https://www.sacredheartmission.org/team-member/hang-vo/
20. Justine Cain
Group Chief Executive Officer, Diabetes Australia
Justine Cain is group chief executive officer at Diabetes Australia, a national health advocacy organisation in Australia. The official source provides the role and organisation wording used here. That keeps the comparison grounded in what each charity actually does.
The organisation’s public speaker profile identifies her as group chief executive, leading a national diabetes body with policy, research and service responsibilities. It also shows why charity leadership is not one uniform job. The useful comparison is the organisation’s purpose, geography and accountability, not a popularity ranking.
Official source: https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/advocacy/national-diabetes-summit-and-exhibition/speaker-bios/
Patterns across the list
The sample shows how different charity CEO roles can be. Several leaders combine direct service with advocacy, while others lead complex volunteer, conservation or public health systems.
How to use this list
Use the official links as the source of truth and recheck every role immediately before publication or outreach.
Frequently asked questions
This is not a ranking. The public BLOG set contains 20 fully written entries, while 30 additional names remain TAG-ONLY or reserve material.
Conclusion
Charity leadership across Australia and New Zealand is broad, practical and quietly complex.
About the author
Jonno White helps leaders build organisations people would move cities to work at.