September 13, 2022 –
Two business and community development leaders have been appointed to World Vision Australia’s board of directors, bringing a wealth of experience in accounting, government consulting and social policy to the international aid organisation.
World Vision has welcomed Kate Harrison Brennan and Alicia Leis to its board, bringing the total number of members to 11.
Board Chair Shannon Adams said Kate and Alicia brought exceptional experience across a range of professional fields and aspects of social policy.
“Both Alicia and Kate are leaders in their fields, driven by a strong social conscience and a belief that they can make a difference through their contributions to World Vision,” Mr. Adams said.
“We look forward to the insights and incredible value they will bring to World Vision as board members.” Alicia Leis Alicia joins World Vision after a 25-year career as a Chartered Accountant in Australia and the UK. She is a sought-after advisor to industry and government on strategy, risk, governance, stakeholder consultation and special investigations.
Alicia is a partner at Tasmania’s largest independent accounting firm, WLF Accounting & Advisory, where she co-leads the firm’s internal audit and risk function. Its client portfolio includes governments and government enterprises, not-for-profit organizations and large private clients. She has served as the principal investigator of high-profile investigations for the government into conduct, governance, children in state care and compliance activities and holds several other board positions, including within a large private civil construction company. Alicia said joining the board of World Vision Australia continued a lifelong association with the charity. “World Vision was the first time I was a kid thinking about kids halfway around the world who had less than me,” she said.
“The 40 Hour Famine engaged me in the early stages of a long journey of interest in world events – and turned that interest into real help.” When I was fortunate enough to work with World Vision Australia , [CEO] Daniel Wordsworth told me we could change the world – it’s a vision that inspires me. I have a strong faith that calls me to serve, and I look forward to doing so. Alicia was Telstra’s 2016 Businesswoman of the Year in the Corporate and Private category for Tasmania. She lives in Hobart with her husband and two sons.
Dr. Kate Harrison Brennan
Kate has extensive expertise in social policy, community development and the need to empower people and communities. The Rhodes Scholar and former Young Australian of the Year (NSW) was recently appointed Director of the Sydney Policy Lab at the University of Sydney, and before that he was Head of Policy and Design at the Paul Ramsay Foundation.
A former adviser to Prime Minister Julia Gillard AC, Kate founded a digital storytelling platform for artisans in developing communities and was CEO of Anglican Deaconess Ministries for five years. She is passionate about social policy, breaking the cycle of disadvantage, international development and her Christian faith.
This is reflected in his professional and academic achievements, as well as his community commitments. Kate studied Arts and Law at the University of Sydney and International Development as a postgraduate at the University of Oxford. She later earned a doctorate in politics.
Kate, who first connected with World Vision by doing the 8 Hour Famine for Children as a child, volunteered at the youth-led development agency Oaktree and visited the offices of World Vision in Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Rwanda, Malawi and Sierra Leone.
Along with her husband and two children, she is also a World Vision child sponsor.
“I grew up with World Vision,” she says. “So it’s a real gift to be able to put my faith into action and serve on the World Vision Board, bringing my understanding of international development, politics and government.
“Nothing beats World Vision in terms of global presence and ability to work with children, their families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. It means the world is part of this incredible mobilization for good.
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