Executive Profit for Purpose Scholarships Awarded

The CEO of Media Centre for Education Research Australia, Cathie Brown, and Senior Manager, Disability and Mental Health Services, AnglicareSA, Kate Rush, have been announced recipients of Behind Closed Doors’ (BCD) “Profit for Purpose” Scholarship in Adelaide for 2017.

Following the receipt of an Australian Government Grant, BCD in 2017 has doubled the Scholarship offering with a matching Grant now in place.

Founder and Managing Director of the respected professional development and mentoring company Donny Walford, said the 12-month Scholarshipwas awarded to a successful female executive in the Profit for Purpose sector to further expand and challenge current leadership and business practices.

“Profit for Purpose organisations play a vital role in our society and are the social fabric that holds our community together.” Ms Walford said.

Cathie Brown is an experienced leader with visionary thinking coupled with a focus on getting results. She has developed organisations and executed strategy, led major organisational change and performance optimisation projects, marketed organisations and brokered profitable agreements.

In application for the Scholarship, Cathie said she was seeking to further develop her capabilities, networks and self-reflection to enable her to more effectively lead.

“Being able to discuss ways to work successfully with the Board, with sponsors and deliver on the organisation’s plans will be of great benefit.” Ms Brown said.

Kate Rush, who is leading six managers and more than 300 staff at AnglicareSA through a significant time of change with the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) described the change as taking the organisation to a more commercialised, consumer driven and competitive market place.

Kate stated in her application, “I am increasingly aware of the challenges and opportunities the NDIS represents for AnglicareSA and would value and seek to apply learning’s from my involvement with BCD. I look forward to learning from others with diverse viewpoints and shared experiences.”

Ms Walford said “The BCD Executive membership will provide Cathie and Kate with a professional sounding board and support network where they can discuss professional and personal issues, challenges and strategies in a totally confidential environment while, at the same time, encourage other members to extend themselves to achieve and succeed in new environments,” Ms Walford said.

BCD Executive Members meet with a small cohort of like-minded women 11 times a year with a highly skilled and experienced Facilitator and Program Director. Members are challenged to set goals, be held accountable and aspire for greater levels of achievement in both their professional and personal life.

The two award recipients each receive a 12-month fully funded membership valued at more than $7,500.

The runner up for the BCD Profit for Purpose Scholarship was awarded to Tamara Tomic, Chief Executive, Lifetime Support Authority.

BCD has some 28 Scholarships to award across Australia in 2017. Applications are open now in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth in the categories of Executive Profit for Purpose, Executive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Entrepreneurs and Luminaries (Managers).

Issued by: Penny Reidy, Marketing Manager, Behind Closed Doors on 8333 4303 or 0401 349 791 www.behindcloseddoors.com