Aged Care Workforce Industry Council (ACWIC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Louise O’Neill, has stepped away from her role and will be replaced by ACWIC Executive Director of Policy and Engagement, Sarah McLelland, in the interim.
According to the ACWIC, Ms O’Neill made the decision to resign from the role due to personal reasons after a two-year tenure in the organisation’s top job.
Since joining the ACWIC in July 2020, Ms O’Neill has presided over a number of important initiatives which included the implementation of 14 strategic actions which stemmed from Australia’s Aged Care Workforce Strategy ‘A Matter of Care’.
Offering her thoughts regarding Ms O’Neill’s sudden departure, Chair of the ACWIC Board, Libby Lyons, was full of praise for the accomplishments of her former colleague.
Reflecting upon her own time as CEO of the ACWIC, Ms O’Neill cited collaboration between the Council and the broader industry as key to addressing workforce challenges.
“The Council plays a critically important role in solving the workforce challenges for aged care by bringing the industry together and working [in] a united approach,” said Ms O’Neill.
The ACWIC’s newly appointed Interim CEO, Ms McLelland, is a highly-regarded public servant with more than 15 years experience across aged care, disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
Ms McLelland previously acted as interim CEO earlier this year for ACWIC.
According to Ms Lyons, the organisation will be commencing its search for a new CEO imminently.
“We’re well-placed to continue the momentum under Sarah’s leadership as we embark on the appointment of a permanent CEO”, said Ms Lyons.
