Council is delighted to announce the appointment of four key roles within Council’s executive and management teams. After an extensive independent recruitment process, this represents an exciting period of renewal for Council.
Joining Council over March and April are:
Adele Drago-Stevens, Director Corporate
To commence 26 April
Ms Drago-Stevens is an experienced strategic leader with extensive public sector and higher education strategy, business transformation, operations and performance experience. Her current role is Director, Digital Transformation and Operations Consulting for PricewaterhouseCoopers consulting firm (PwC) specialising in the Government and Public Sector, and prior to that she was Director Strategic Planning for Swinburne University of Technology. Adele is a local resident, familiar with, and passionate about regional issues and wanting to contribute to the Macedon Ranges community.
Maria Weiss, Director Community
To commence 21 March
Ms Weiss has over 20 years community services experience across a range of senior leadership positions at Moonee Valley City Council, having been Group Manager Community Services, leading community care services for aged residents, alongside family and children’s services. She is currently Manager Legal and Governance. A member of the Municipal Association of Victoria Emergency Management Board Advisory Committee, she is skilled in delivering high quality, responsive services to the community, with achievements including two LGPro awards for excellence.
Rebecca Stockfeld, Director Planning and Environment
To commence 21 March
Ms Stockfeld brings a wealth of experience from Local and State Government senior leadership roles across town planning, strategic planning, infrastructure, assets and sustainable development. She is currently General Manager Infrastructure, Assets and Planning at Central Goldfields Shire. Rebecca is adept at navigating the complex challenges of executive leadership in Local Government. She is a local resident and relishes this opportunity to lead strategic and statutory planning and environment portfolios to guide the future of her local community.
Lauren Wall, Manager Communications and Engagement
To commence 7 March
Ms Wall is a communications specialist with wide-ranging experience across the not-for-profit, government and private sectors. She is currently Manager Marketing and Communications at Ballarat Community Health reporting to the CEO. Prior to this she held a range of communications and media roles. Lauren lives in regional Victoria and is well versed in implementing innovative techniques, including social media and web platforms, to extend the reach of communicating with and supporting local communities.
Chief Executive Officer Bernie O’Sullivan said the new appointments will play an instrumental role in the delivery of a strong, customer-focussed approach to working alongside our local community, and will help implement the new council plan and priority areas in line with the community vision.
“I can’t be more excited about the breadth of talent and experience these appointments represent, and look forward to working with the new-look executive and management team to help realise our council plan and deliver for our community.”
“I’d also like to acknowledge the excellent support of the interim executive and management group whilst we’ve worked through the recruitment process. This includes Gina Lyons, Interim Director Corporate and Community, Carmen Lawrence, Interim Executive Manager People, Culture and Performance, and Stephen Pykett, Acting Director Planning and Environment. It is wonderful to be able to start the year with finalising these senior appointments, which build the momentum for delivering great outcomes for the Macedon Ranges community,” he said.
Mr O’Sullivan said that Council is also implementing a revised organisational structure in conjunction with the new appointments. “This will place an even stronger focus on our customer and community approach; it will streamline operations and enhance our communications into local communities. It will put us in a stronger position to achieve our priority projects in partnership with the community,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
