New CEO Appointment at Geelong Community Foundation

On behalf of the Directors of the Geelong Community Foundation, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Amy Waters as Chief Executive Officer.

Amy brings to the Chief Executive Officer role significant leadership and grant-making expertise, with eight years’ experience leading multi-disciplinary and diverse teams in both federal government and the for-purpose sector. Amy has led several significant initiatives including establishing the NDIA’s grant management approach for the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) Grant Program and extensive fundraising and management experience at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.

A passionate leader and grant-making professional dedicated to social justice, inclusion, and a thriving Geelong, Amy joined the Foundation in March of 2023 as our inaugural Program Manager.

She has project managed the Foundation’s grant rounds and has worked with the CEO, Gail Rodgers and the Grants Committee to strengthen our grant-making approach. This included developing the Foundation’s program logic for grant-making and designing our new grant streams. Amy also successfully project managed the design and development of the Foundation’s inaugural Vital Signs Report.

Throughout the recruitment process, Amy impressed us with her vision, in-depth strategic thinking, commitment to working closely with our donors and community partners and grant recipients and her warmth and professionalism.

We know that Amy is excited to lead the Foundation into its next phase of growth and impact, focusing on deepening engagement with donors and community.

Amy will commence as Chief Executive Officer on the 9th September 2024 and will work alongside Gail Rodgers for a handover period until Gail departs at the end of September. During this period, we will actively recruit Amy’s successor in our Program Manager role.

We are enormously grateful to our outgoing CEO, Gail Rodgers for her contribution to not only the Foundation but also the wider Geelong Community during her eight and a half year tenure. She leaves the Foundation in a strong position, and we thank her for her outstanding leadership.

Michael Betts
Chairperson