The St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria has appointed Charlie Spendlove as its group chief executive officer to lead the organisation through Victoria’s social emergency and housing crisis.
Ms Spendlove will lead the group’s three entities – St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria, VincentCare Victoria and VincentCare Community Housing – at a moment of growing social urgency.
With more than 30,000 Victorians in acute housing need and 800,000 living below the poverty line, the society has committed to helping halve homelessness in Victoria by 2035.
The appointment follows three months during which Ms Spendlove served as Interim Group CEO and a formal recruitment process was conducted. The board, state council and company members have unanimously endorsed her appointment.
Ms Spendlove will now lead the group into its next phase with a clear agenda and strong focus on reducing homelessness with more affordable housing against a backdrop of an increasing social emergency.
Beyond building new affordable and community housing, the society’s agenda includes strengthening digital innovation and specialised resources for 10,000 plus conference members and volunteers; deepening advocacy for affordable housing policy at a state level; growing the Vinnies Shops network; and developing new funding models to sustain the group’s frontline mission.
St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria board chair Bernie Bicknell welcomed the appointment.
“Charlie is a respected and proven leader with a strong track record in complex, for-purpose organisations,” Mr Bicknell said.
“The board is very confident that she will bring a focus on high-performing teams and accountability to the role, balanced with a deep understanding of our mission and the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Victorian State Council president Brendan Podbury also endorsed the appointment.
“Across the state, our 10,000 conference members and volunteers embedded in their local communities are carrying more than ever before,” Mr Podbury said.
“Charlie understands this and has built strong, trusted relationships with both our state council and the board and brought our team of members, staff, and volunteers together around one mission, inspiring action and driving meaningful change for those we support.”
Commenting on her permanent appointment, Ms Spendlove said: “It’s an honour to lead the society into this next phase – and what a privilege to work with a legacy of almost two centuries of serving and adapting to the changing needs of our community.”
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St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria appoints Group CEO (St Vincent de Paul Society)
