Corporate Ladder: your weekly guide to executive appointments in South Australia
South Australia’s premier executive appointments column tracking the movements of those driving the state’s public and private sectors. Plus the latest executive recruitment opportunities.
Peter Khoury (left), Shannon Schedlich (top centre), Samuel Diotallevi (centre), Andrew Culley (bottom centre), Abbie Taylor (top right) and Inga Davies (bottom right) have all been appointed to new positions.
Sowing the seeds for a new CEO
Shona Gawel has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of Australian agricultural support company, GrainGrowers.
Gawel has been employed by GrainGrowers since 2018, working as General Manager, Communications and Grower Engagement for three years before taking on a role as Chief Operating Officer until her appointment as CEO.
She is the current Non-Executive Director of not-for-profit medical organisation NSW Stoma.
She takes over the position after former CEO David McKeon announced his resignation in September of 2022.
McKeon has worked in the agricultural industry for almost two decades, spending close to five years as CEO of GrainGrowers.
McKeon currently volunteers as an Industry Advisory Group Member of Graham Centre for Agricultural Research and on National Farmers’ Federation Committees.
Executive movements in disability support sector
Shannon Schedlich has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of disability support organisation, Siblings Australia.
Schedlich was previously employed as CEO of the Media Centre for Education Research Australia and is the current Chair of Play it On, a foundation that supports children from financially-challenged homes to participate in sport, and Non-Executive Director of Inclusive Sport SA.
The appointment comes as current CEO and Founder of Siblings Australia, Kate Strohm steps down from the position.
Strohm established Siblings Australia at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in 1999 as The Sibling Project’, which became an independent entity in 2003.
She will continue to be involved with the organisation, providing support for the newly appointed team as Founder.
Belinda Taylor has taken on the role of General Manager for the Media Centre for Education Research Australia.
Taylor was previously employed as Chief Executive Officer at MediaCom Education and worked in community engagement and communications at Autism SA.
She began her new role on Monday, February 5.
Movements in Adelaide Festival Centre’s philanthropy team
The Adelaide Festival Centre has announced two new appointments and a promotion in its philanthropy team.
Abbie Taylor, who has worked at Adelaide Festival Centre since 2020, has been promoted to the role Director of Philanthropy.
Olivia Power has taken on the role of Philanthropy Manager to replace Taylor.
Power has almost two decades of experience, joining the Festival Centre’s team after working in management roles at Guildhouse, Helpmann Academy and the Don Dunstan Foundation.
Samuel Diotallevi has been appointed as the new Philanthropy Executive.
Diotallevi was previously employed at the South Australian Museum where he worked for three of those years in fundraising and marketing as Stewardship Coordinator.
Uniting Communities Board welcomes new Chair
Kylie Heneker has been appointed Chair of the Board for not-for-profit organisation, Uniting Communities.
Heneker is currently Managing Director of consultancy business, Strategic Solutions Company and Governor of philanthropic foundation, The Wyatt Trust.
Her previous experience includes State MP Manager of Community Development and Chief of Staff and Ministerial Adviser for the Government of South Australia.
She has also served as a Director on the Training and Skills Commission, the Construction Industry Training Board and as Deputy Chair of the Board of Management of Community Centres SA.
In April of 2023, Heneker will take over the position from Sue King who is due to step down after eight years in the role.
Corporate Position: the latest executive employment opportunities
South Australian integrated housing and land development company, Fairmont Group is looking to hire a new Senior Management Accountant for their new offices located on Fullarton Road at Kent Town. Reporting directly to the newly-appointed CFO and working closely with the broader leadership team, this role is responsible for the efficient day-to-day operation of the finance function, the analysis and reporting of financial information to both internal and external stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with relevant statutory and regulatory authorities. Leading and managing a small team, specific responsibilities include: management reporting; financial reporting; taxation; planning and forecasting; and supervision of payroll. Applications are encouraged from innovative and commercially astute CA/CPA qualified, or studying, finance professionals interested in joining a positive culture centred around customer service. The successful candidate will be technologically savvy, with an analytical and pragmatic mindset and focus on business improvement. Warmth, empathy, resilience, good humour, integrity and credibility will also be necessary for success. Private or family-owned business experience will be highly regarded but not essential.
Guide Dogs SA/NT is looking to appoint a new Fundraising Manager to continue the 65 years of work the profit-for-purpose organisation has done enabling independence, participation, inclusion and wellbeing for people with low vision or blindness, and for children with autism and their families. Reporting to and working closely with the General Manager Fundraising, Marketing and Communications, the role is responsible for understanding markets, deploying effective donor acquisition strategies, developing valuable networks and building strong internal and external relationships to ensure sustainability and increased engagement amongst supporters. The Fundraising Manager will lead a team of specialists across all fundraising activities and work closely with the Marketing and Communications and Business Development teams, as well as the broader Senior Leadership Team to identify viable opportunities, develop fundraising frameworks and set measurable objectives while supporting the development of team members to build capability and succession. Applications are encouraged from tertiary qualified professionals with demonstrated experience in relationship management and business development. Experience in fundraising and supporter engagement strategies will be highly regarded. The successful candidate will demonstrate high level interpersonal skills, a collaborative approach, strong outcomes focus, sound business and commercial acumen, and strong leadership skills. A genuine affinity with the work of Guide Dogs and the passion to contribute to the ongoing success of the organisation is of vital importance.
St Andrew’s School is looking to fill two key leadership positions, Business Director and Head of Personalised Learning. Reporting to the new Principal and providing high level advice to the Board, the Business Director will proactively contribute to the current and future strategies and objectives of the school as a member of the School Executive. Leading diverse business operations and functions including finance, HR, ICT, property and administration, the successful candidate will require sophisticated and developed business acumen and contemporary leadership style. The Head of Personalised Learning is a pivotal leadership role enhancing academic opportunities and outcomes for all learners. The successful candidate will lead the oversight and development of enrichment and intervention programs, independent learning plans and provide leadership to a team of learning support assistants. The position is suited to a proven educator who will engage with students, teachers, families and external stakeholders to personalise world class educational and wellbeing offerings. Applications for both positions are sought from qualified professionals with previous success in comparable positions.
Light Regional Council is looking for a new Chief Executive Officer to lead the Council into its next phase of development. Reporting directly to Council, key responsibilities include: driving the strategic vision of the organisation and implementing the decisions of Council; providing high level policy advice to Council; developing and maintaining a range of key public and private stakeholder relationships; overseeing operational, business, financial and corporate planning; providing leadership, direction and motivation to staff to ensure a positive culture; and championing the achievements of Council to foster pride and optimism in the region. The successful candidate will be appropriately qualified with a proven record in executive leadership, combining commercial and political acumen with communication and negotiation skills. Local government experience will be well regarded but not essential.
Music to UNESCO’s ears
Adelaide City of Music has announced that Andrew Culley, Managing Partner of Deloitte Private and former Managing Partner of Deloitte South Australia has joined their Board.
Culley is also the current Board member and Treasurer of not-for-profit technology organisation, Connecting Up Inc.
The appointment comes after Adelaide City of Music saw the departure of Australian Independent Record Labels Association CEO Maria Amato and City of Adelaide Councillor Jessy Khera to their Board at the end of 2022.
Adelaide City of Music now awaits a new ministerial appointment and council appointment to its Board.
AAH appoints new Executive Director
Inga Davies has been appointed Executive Director of the Australian Academy of the Humanities.
Inga has held senior appointments at the University of Adelaide (Chief Executive, External Relations) and the University of Canberra (Director, Advancement, Marketing and Communications and Director of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office).
Most recently she has held the position of Principal at Research Strategies Australia, where she has worked with and for a range of stakeholders in the higher education, defence and health sectors.
Inga began the position on Wednesday, February 1 in time to prepare to launch the Academy’s Australia’s China Knowledge Capability report.
Partnering with O’Loughlins
O’Loughlins Lawyers recently appointed Brooke Kennedy as their first family lawyer partner.
Kennedy joined O’Loughlins in 2020 as Senior Associate before being appointed Special Counsel in 2021 and partner in 2023.
She previously practised at Cardone & Associates and Johnston Withers where she garnered 12 years’ experience.
Kennedy’s appointment coincides with the law firms thirtieth year.
Adelaide Italian Festival has new Chair
Tania Milohis has been appointed as the new Chair of the Adelaide Italian Festival.
She has been a member of the Board since 2020 and has taken over the position from former Chair Ben Rillo, who stepped down from the role after four years and three festivals.
Milohis is currently the Manager of Systems and Business Improvement at the University of Adelaide and was previously employed as Senior Project Manager at the Attorney-General’s Department.
Vince Ciccarello, who has been a board member since 2021, has been made the new Deputy Chair to take over Milohis’ previous position.
Ciccarello is the current Head of Philanthropy and Enterprise at the Art Gallery of South Australia and Deputy Chair of Adelaide UNESCO City of Music.
The appointments come in time to plan the fourth Adelaide Italian Festival which will take place in November 2023.
Bonds formed with new Chair
Peter Khoury has been appointed Advisory Board Chair of Wallace Vroulis Bond Chartered Accountants.
As the Founder and Managing Director of Khoury Consulting, which he established in 1997, Khoury brings a wealth of industry experience to the advisory board.
Khoury is also Advisory Board Chair of CXT Legal and Executive Chair of Clutch Consulting.
He began as Chair of the Fullarton Road business advisory firm in January 2023.
