22 Charity CEOs Across Australia and New Zealand

Published August 2026. This practical guide profiles 22 charity chief executives across Australia and New Zealand.

Leadership in a charity is both deeply human and operationally demanding.

These leaders work across poverty, health, children, conservation, education, community services and humanitarian response.

The list is a useful starting point for anyone trying to understand how purpose becomes reliable delivery at scale.

Why charity leadership matters.

A chief executive has to hold mission, money, people, evidence and public trust together.

The organisations below work in different fields, but each role sits at the point where a clear purpose must become consistent action.

Sharon Callister.

Chief Executive Officer, Mission Australia.

Sharon Callister is the Chief Executive Officer of Mission Australia.

Mission Australia works across homelessness, employment, youth, family support and community programmes in Australia.

Doug Taylor.

Chief Executive Officer, The Smith Family.

Doug Taylor is the Chief Executive Officer of The Smith Family.

The Smith Family helps children and young people overcome educational disadvantage through learning and mentoring programmes.

Grant Bayldon.

Chief Executive Officer, World Vision Australia.

Grant Bayldon is the Chief Executive Officer of World Vision Australia.

World Vision Australia connects Australian support with long term development, relief and advocacy work internationally.

Mat Tinkler.

Chief Executive Officer, Save the Children Australia.

Mat Tinkler is the Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Australia.

Save the Children Australia combines children’s rights, humanitarian response and locally led programmes in Australia, the Pacific and around the world.

Ross Piper.

Chief Executive Officer, The Fred Hollows Foundation.

Ross Piper is the Chief Executive Officer of The Fred Hollows Foundation.

The Fred Hollows Foundation works with communities and partners to end avoidable blindness in Australia and around the world.

Susanne Legena.

Chief Executive Officer, Plan International Australia.

Susanne Legena is the Chief Executive Officer of Plan International Australia.

Plan International Australia works with children and communities on equality and children’s rights.

Jennifer Tierney.

Chief Executive Officer, Oxfam Australia.

Jennifer Tierney is the Chief Executive Officer of Oxfam Australia.

Oxfam Australia works with partners and communities on poverty, inequality and humanitarian response.

Kirsten Sayers.

Chief Executive Officer, Caritas Australia.

Kirsten Sayers is the Chief Executive Officer of Caritas Australia.

Caritas Australia works with communities and partners on humanitarian action and long term development.

Morgana Ryan.

Chief Executive Officer, CARE Australia.

Morgana Ryan is the Chief Executive Officer of CARE Australia.

CARE Australia works with communities to advance women’s equality and respond to humanitarian need.

Sally Bateman.

Chief Executive Officer, Make-A-Wish Australia.

Sally Bateman is the Chief Executive Officer of Make-A-Wish Australia.

Make-A-Wish Australia creates life changing wishes for children with critical illness.

Rachel Lowry.

Chief Executive Officer, Bush Heritage Australia.

Rachel Lowry is the Chief Executive Officer of Bush Heritage Australia.

Bush Heritage Australia protects landscapes and supports people to care for Country.

Tim Allard.

Chief Executive Officer, Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

Tim Allard is the Chief Executive Officer of Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

Australian Wildlife Conservancy protects threatened wildlife and ecosystems through large scale conservation work.

Adam Bandt.

Chief Executive Officer, Australian Conservation Foundation.

Adam Bandt is the Chief Executive Officer of Australian Conservation Foundation.

The Australian Conservation Foundation is a member based charity working for nature and climate.

Professor Paul Flynn.

Group Chief Executive Officer, The Hospital Research Foundation Group.

Professor Paul Flynn is the Group Chief Executive Officer of The Hospital Research Foundation Group.

The Hospital Research Foundation Group connects fundraising with research translation and practical support for patients and families.

Nicki Bardwell.

Chief Executive Officer, Fair Game.

Nicki Bardwell is the Chief Executive Officer of Fair Game.

Fair Game uses sport, equipment and activity programmes to help communities build health and connection.

Stephen Nash.

Chief Executive Officer, Kids Under Cover.

Stephen Nash is the Chief Executive Officer of Kids Under Cover.

Kids Under Cover combines practical housing solutions with education engagement to prevent youth homelessness.

Jenny Geddes.

Chief Executive Officer, Clean Up Australia.

Jenny Geddes is the Chief Executive Officer of Clean Up Australia.

Clean Up Australia connects community action with a cleaner environment and lasting behaviour change.

Dr Elizabeth Deveny.

Chief Executive Officer, Consumers Health Forum of Australia.

Dr Elizabeth Deveny is the Chief Executive Officer of Consumers Health Forum of Australia.

The Consumers Health Forum of Australia brings consumer experience into health policy and system design.

Jacinta Reddan.

Chief Executive Officer, Cancer Council Australia.

Jacinta Reddan is the Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Council Australia.

Cancer Council Australia works through prevention, support, advocacy and research towards a cancer free future.

Susan Glasgow.

Chief Executive Officer, UNICEF Aotearoa New Zealand.

Susan Glasgow is the Chief Executive Officer of UNICEF Aotearoa New Zealand.

UNICEF Aotearoa connects local advocacy and fundraising with UNICEF programmes worldwide.

Heather Campbell.

Chief Executive Officer, Save the Children New Zealand.

Heather Campbell is the Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children New Zealand.

Save the Children New Zealand works with children and communities in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world.

Liam Willis.

Chief Executive Officer, Cure Kids.

Liam Willis is the Chief Executive Officer of Cure Kids.

Cure Kids funds research and initiatives that improve health outcomes for children.

What these leaders show us about charity leadership.

Strong charity leadership is not one style or one personality.

It is the discipline of turning a clear mission into choices, systems and relationships that people can trust.

It also means staying close to the people and communities the organisation exists to serve.

Related reading.

For a wider view of nonprofit leadership, read the companion list of nonprofit leaders in Australia and New Zealand.

https://www.consultclarity.org/post/nfp-leaders-australia-new-zealand

You can also learn more about practical leadership support through Consult Clarity.

https://www.consultclarity.org/

https://www.consultclarity.org/contact

https://www.consultclarity.org/resources

About the author.

Jonno White is a leadership consultant, keynote speaker and author who helps leaders build organisations people would move cities to work at.