Two leaders in business and community development have been appointed to World Vision Australia’s board, bringing a wealth of experience in accounting, government advisory 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 an exceptional depth of experience across a range of professional fields and aspects of social policy.
“Alicia and Kate are both leaders in their fields, driven by a strong social conscience and a belief 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 comes to World Vision after a 25-year career as a chartered accountant in Australia and the United Kingdom. She is a sought-after advisor to industry and government on strategy, risk, governance, stakeholder consultation and special investigations.
Alicia is a partner of Tasmania’s largest independent chartered accountancy firm, WLF Accounting & Advisory, where she co-leads the firm’s internal audit and risk function. Her portfolio of clients encompasses government and government enterprises, not-for-profits and large private clients.
She has been the lead investigator on high-profile investigations for government across conduct, governance, children in state care and compliance activities and holds several other board positions, including with a large private civil construction company.
Alicia said joining the World Vision Australia board continued a life-long association with the charity.
“World Vision was my first exposure as a child to thinking about children on the other side of the world who had less than I did,” she said.
“The 40 Hour Famine engaged me in the first steps of a life-long journey of interest in world events – and turning that interest into real help.
“When I had the chance to work with World Vision Australia, [CEO] Daniel Wordsworth told me we can change the world – this is a vision I am inspired by. I have a strong faith which calls me to serve, and I look forward to doing just that.”
Alicia was the 2016 Telstra Business Woman 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 the Director of the Sydney Policy Lab at the University of Sydney, and prior to that was the Head of Policy & 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 about her Christian faith.
This is reflected in her professional and academic achievements, as well as community commitments. Kate studied arts and law at the University of Sydney, and international development as a postgraduate at Oxford University. She was subsequently awarded a doctorate in politics.
Kate, who first connected with World Vision doing the 8-hour kids’ famine as a child, volunteered at the youth-run Oaktree development agency and has visited World Vision offices 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 said. “So it feels like 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, policy and government.
“There’s just nothing like World Vision in terms of presence and capacity in the world to work with children, their families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. It means the world to be a part of this incredible mobilisation for good.”
