SACS Awards for Leadership in the Not for Profit Sector - Winners Announced!

The winners of the Emerging Leader, Executive Leader and Non Executive Leader categories of the SACS Awards for Leadership in the Not for Profit sector were announced on Wednesday, 14th July at a presentation dinner at The Australian Club. The winner of the Emerging Leader category was Liz Leorke, Mental Health Access & Participation Director, YMCA Victoria, the winner of the Non-Executive Leader category was Lynne McCrae, Manager Child & Family Support Services, OzChild Children Australia and for the first time in the history of the SACS Awards there were joint winners for the Executive category; Louise James, Chairperson (2003-2009) One In Five Association Incorporated and Allen Dewhirst, Chief Executive Officer, Salvos Stores.

Liz was delighted to be named the winner of the Emerging Leader category.

Nominated by colleagues and staff, the judges felt that Liz is a passionate and committed leader who “walks the talk” by bike riding to raise funds and awareness of mental health. The panel believed Liz demonstrated innovation in the face of adversity, when the future of her Project was uncertain.

Winner of the Non-Executive category, Lynne McCrae, was overjoyed to accept her award. The judges had decided on Lynne as the winner due to the impact of the success of the initiatives she introduced. The judges identified Lynne’s particular strength in introducing iterative improvement and building the internal capacity, including enhanced retention of volunteers leading to a stronger and more stable operational capacity.

The two finalists were Chantelle Courtney, Campaigns & Communications Manager, RSPCA Victoria, for engaging all players in the agenda, from donors, to the public, to bushfire affected families, to staff; and Harry Patsamanis, Manager, Clinical Care Engagement, Heart Foundation of Australia (Victorian Division) for commissioning an evidence base to support a campaign to promote early awareness of heart attacks.

And a dead heat for the Executive category! The judging panel were unable to separate two of the nominees, and so Louise James, Chairperson (2003-2009) One In Five Association Incorporated and Allen Dewhirst, Chief Executive Officer, Salvos Stores were the shared winners.

The judges commented that Louise was a truly inspirational individual who converted her passion and personal circumstances into a tribute and legacy for her brother in the mental health field.

Allen realised major financial and operating benefits for the organisation, i.e., more than doubling the amount of funding available for Salvation Army programs.

The finalist for the Executive category was Sandra Hills, Chief Executive Officer, Benetas for her sound management of a tight financial situation and encouragement to staff to achieve an ambitious target.

Click here for our record of the 2010 SACS Awards for Leadership in the Not for Profit and State Government Sectors.

Executive Category Joint Winner Allen Dewhirst, Chief Executive Officer, Salvos Stores

Executive Category Joint Winner, Louise James, Chairperson (2003-2009), One In Five Association

Non-Executive Category Winner, Lynne McCrae, Manager Child & Family Support Services, OzChild Children Australia

Emerging Leader Category Winner, Liz Leorke, Mental Health Access & Participation Director, YMCA Director

Executive Category Finalist, Sandra Hills, Chief Executive Officer, Benetas

Non-Executive Catergory Finalist, Chantelle Courtney, Campaigns & Communications Manager, RSPCA Victoria

Non-Executive Category Finalist, Harry Patsamanis, Manager, Clinical Care Engagement, Heart Foundation of Australia (Victoria Division)