^{New Chair, Deputy Chair and three new directors appointed to the Board of commUnity+}

We are delighted to announce a series of appointments to the Board of Comm Unity Plus Services Limited (commUnity+) providing continuity, succession planning and increased skills and diversity.

The Board has elected Jackie Mead as Chair, Emma Hunt as Deputy Chair, and reappointed Greg Bowers as Treasurer.

Jackie Mead was first appointed the commUnity+ board in 2020. Jackie is a long-time resident of Melbourne’s Inner West and has a passion for creating and supporting vibrant communities that are inclusive and compassionate at their core. She brings 15 years of experience with for-purpose organisations and a real excitement about the future of commUnity+ and what it can deliver for people in Melbourne’s west.

Emma Hunt also joined the commUnity+ board in 2020. Her career is based on the belief that a strong legal assistance sector is a way of ensuring vulnerable Victorians receive the advice and help they need when engaging with the law and the justice system, in turn strengthening communities and people’s agency.

Greg Bowers continues his role as Treasurer providing his extensive experience in financial and operational management and remains passionate about opportunities that arise through adult and community education.

After six years as Director including three years as Chair, Susanne Legena stepped down as Chair. Nella Buccheri has also decided to step down as Deputy Chair.

Susanne’s leadership, care and dedication to commUnity+ and the communities it serves has been invaluable, with the organisation strengthening in its governance, operations and financial position over the past three years through a tumultuous COVID-19 impacted period.

commUnity+ also thanks Nella for her commitment to the West through commUnity+ and ongoing commitment to the communities in the West. We are delighted that Susanne and Nella will continue on as commUnity+ Directors.

We also welcome the appointment of three new directors to the commUnity+ Board, Poonam Fernandes, Kristie Lawson and Valerie Sace. We look forward to their contributions to our community.

These appointments follow the reappointment of Board Directors Nella Buccheri and Brendan Walsh at the 2022 Annual General Meeting held last month and puts us in a great position to not just better represent the community we serve but it delivers the full skillset needed on a vibrant Board.

We are grateful to have the guidance, and expertise of our Directors and we continue to strengthen and expand our suite of programs to support people experiencing disadvantage and hardship within communities in the West.