Whitelion CEO Mark Watt AM ushers in a new era
Feb 26, 2018
MEDIA RELEASE 26 February 2018
After almost 20 years at the helm, youth charity Whitelion co-founder and CEO Mark Watt AM has announced plans to hand on the leadership baton.
Mark said he would advise the Whitelion Board as they look to appoint a new CEO by July 2018, and take on the newly-created role of Co-founder and Director of Development.
“Every organisation benefits from periodic renewal, and the time is right for me to focus more strongly on my skills, strengths and interests – I’m delighted that I will still play a leading role in Whitelion and am confident we will continue to go from strength to strength,” he said.
Under Mark’s leadership, Whitelion has become a leading Australian community organisation building relationships and tailoring services for young people to positively change their lives.
Whitelion operates in five Australian states and has seven social enterprises, 160 staff and 340 volunteers. Whitelion currently intensively supports over 2500 young people and provides outreach services to 20,000 more, over 40 per cent of them from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.
In giving young people the pride, courage and opportunities to change their lives, Whitelion has saved the community millions of dollars in jail and other costs. Mark was recently appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in recognition of his remarkable service.
Chair of the Board Anne Barker said Mark’s decision was made in conjunction with the Board and in the best interests of Whitelion. “Mark always puts our young people first. As Whitelion has grown into a big organisation, its needs have changed. A fresh approach to the way it is run will harness Whitelion’s extraordinary legacy but also enable it to take new steps”, she said.
“On behalf of so many, I would like to thank Mark for his amazing stewardship of Whitelion over two decades. It is truly a story of success. The Board and Whitelion’s young people and supporters are delighted that Mark will stay within the organisation to ensure that Whitelion remains true to its ethos and continues to flourish in the future.”
Mark said the new structure would provide Whitelion with a number of advantages.
“I will work in partnership with the new CEO and envisage my new role will involve providing advocacy and sector leadership; maintaining and developing relationships; developing partnerships, programs and social enterprises, providing advice and more,” he said.
“My vision, like Whitelion’s, remains an Australia in which all young people have equal opportunities to succeed.’’
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Caitlin Evans - Pesel & Carr
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caitlin.evans@peselandcarr.com.au