Scholarship recipient announcement
The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), in partnership with the Australian Scholarships Foundation, is pleased to announce recipients of the AICD Governance Foundations for Not-for-Profit Directors program in 2023.
The 200 recipients include directors, executives, and emerging directors of not-for-profit and charitable organisations with an annual income of less than $2 million. They represent every state in Australia across sectors, including arts, culture and recreation; education and research; employment, development and housing; health; social services; and the environment.
Recipients will gain valuable skills to support their not-for-profit organisations, including understanding of fundamental compliance and performance related roles and responsibilities of directors by attending the Governance Foundations for Not-for-Profit Directors program.
Nicole Chaplin is a non-executive director on the Board of Nunga Mi:Minar Incorporated and CEO of St John’s Youth Services. Nicole says receiving this scholarship will support her “professional goals, building my skills and expertise for Nunga Mi:Minar, a First Nations specific Domestic and Family Violence Service, as well as increasing my capacity to contribute as Director for another SA not-for-profit (SACOSS), and my professional role as Chief Executive at St John’s Youth Services.”
As General Manager of Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia, Joanna Kay leads Australia’s peak industry body for Renewable Hydrogen. As a 2023 scholarship recipient, Joanna shares, “In addition to strengthening my leadership and governance skills, this is a great opportunity to connect with a community of leaders who are changing and impacting lives across Australia. It is such a privilege to share this scholarship with so many talented leaders.”
Dr Gabrielle Morrissey is CEO of Women and Children First, a domestic abuse and family violence shelter and service. She notes on receiving the AICD NFP scholarship, “Without a doubt the local community that Women and Children First serves across Sydney’s lower North shore and Northern Beaches will benefit from everything I learn at the AICD course, by implementing better practices, strategies, communication and impact.”
Based in Victoria, Ryan Gunasena is a Skyline Education Foundation Australia‘s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Governance, Risk and Finance Committee and Board member. He shares that the learnings from his AICD NFP scholarship will “enhance my financial performance knowledge and strategic planning skills, which will enable me to provide more informed and valuable input when developing strategic plans and to better support Skyline and my fellow Board members in effectively governing the organisation.”
Since 2017, the AICD has provided over 1,100 scholarships to not-for-profit sector leaders with the opportunity to access foundational governance education to build capabilities and govern their organisations more effectively. Again, this year, the Australian Scholarships Foundation partnered with the AICD to administer this scholarship.
“The AICD is proud to make this contribution to advancing the capabilities of these NFP leaders and their organisations.”
Mark Rigotti, AICD Managing Director and CEO
AICD Managing Director and CEO Mark Rigotti congratulated this year’s 200 recipients and wished them well as they progressed through the educational program.
“We know it’s a particuarly challenging time for the not-for-profit sector with increasing demands on directors and executives and an increasingly complex operating environment.
“The AICD is proud to make this contribution to advancing the capabilities of these NFP leaders and their organisations.”
Australian Scholarships Foundation CEO Louisa Graham acknowledged the importance of scholarship programs for not-for-profit board members.
“The for-purpose sector is an important part of the economy, employing 11 per cent of the Australian workforce and contributing an estimated 4.8 per cent to the country’s GDP.
“Most board members support their organisations voluntarily, and training to assist their invaluable roles is often something they fund personally funded. These governance scholarships directed to smaller not-for-profit organisations across Australia contribute significantly to better governance of these organisations supporting a better society.”
“These governance scholarships directed to smaller not-for-profit organisations across Australia contribute significantly to better governance of these organisations supporting a better society.”
LOUISA GRAHAM, CEO, AUSTRALIAN SCHOALRSHIPS FOUNDATION
A full list of the 2023 AICD NFP scholarship recipients can be found here.
Read the joint Press Release here.
The Australian Institute of Company Directors is committed to strengthening society through world-class governance. We aim to be the independent and trusted voice of governance, building the capability of a community of leaders to benefit society. Our membership of more than 48,000 includes directors and senior leaders from business, government and the not-for-profit sectors.
Australian Scholarships Foundation is a charity focused on delivering training and professional development opportunities to the nation’s charities and not-for-profits. Since 2009, we have offered over 5,000 scholarships valued at $17.1 million in governance, leadership development and management.
Media contacts
AICD
Jane Braslin
0439 167 567
[email protected]
Australian Scholarships Foundation
Leona Spencer
1300 248 675
[email protected]
