Welcome Hang Vo, new CEO
Jun 18, 2018
Whitelion is delighted to announce the appointment of Hang Vo as CEO.
With over 20 years’ national and international experience in the not-for-profit sector, Hang is ideally positioned to lead Whitelion in the next era.
“I am incredibly grateful and excited to be joining the Whitelion family. The talented and passionate team of staff, volunteers, Board members and supporters – and in particular founder and leader of the organisation Mark Watt – have achieved great things for young people who are facing extreme challenges. I am honoured to now continue the work that has been done over the last almost 20 years and grow the organisation even more into the future”, said Hang.
Hang’s career history includes senior management roles for the Australian Red Cross and, more recently, EACH Social and Community Health as Director for Strategy, Planning and Development. She is also the Vice President of the Australian Council of Social Services and has been on the Board since 2013.
Her qualifications include executive education with Harvard Business School on Strategy and Performance in Non-profit management; an Executive Master of Business Administration; Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors as well as degrees in Social Work and Arts.
Hang came to Australia with her family in the late 1970s as part of the first wave of “boat people” – an experience of dislocation and resettlement that shaped her deep commitment to a more inclusive and equitable society.
“I understand firsthand what it’s like to be at a disadvantage in society – it’s one of the reasons I’m so passionate about youth issues and the work that Whitelion does. If we can help people while they’re young, we give them the chance to live a life they’ll be proud of when they’re older,” she said.
Over the years, her work has included management of large teams and budgets, as well as advocacy around asylum seekers in detention on Manus Island and in Nauru, restoring family links after natural disasters overseas, and service strategy and operations in youth justice, social inclusion and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues.
Hang will take up the appointment starting 6 August, and is looking forward to working closely with the Board, staff, volunteers and supporters as well as Whitelion Co-founder and Director of Development, Mark Watt AM, who decided to step down from the role of CEO after almost 20 years at the helm.
As Co-founder and Director of Development, Mark will continue to play a significant leadership role in Whitelion, which he knows better than anyone else.
“I am confident in Hang continuing the Whitelion legacy. Our core purpose will remain the same – giving young people the pride, courage and opportunities to change their lives for the better.
“I’m excited to work with Hang in helping the organisation continue to grow and support more and more at-risk young people, as well as raise greater awareness about youth issues in the community.”
Hang will also continue to strengthen our financial security and ensure our now-sizeable organisation runs smoothly and is well-managed.
We hope you’ll join all of us at Whitelion in wishing Hang well in this important role.