Recipients of Melbourne 2017 ‘Profit for Purpose” Scholarship Announced

The Chief of Communications and Advocacy, World Vision Australia, Jill Roche, and Founder of Urban Lifesavers, Anne Holland, have been announced recipients of Behind Closed Doors’ (BCD) “Profit for Purpose” Scholarship in Melbourne for 2017.

Following the receipt of an Australian Government Grant, BCD in 2017 has doubled its Scholarship offering with a matching Grant now in place. Some 30 scholarships are being awarded across Australia to provide opportunities for professional development, peer to peer mentoring and networking to women in business.

Founder and Managing Director of the respected professional development and mentoring company, Donny Walford, said the 12-month fully funded membership, awarded as a scholarship, provides a successful female executive in the Profit for Purpose sector an opportunity to further expand and challenge leadership and business practices.

“Profit for Purpose organisations play a vital role in our society, it is an honour to be in a position to help grow and develop the leadership pool of women employed in the sector.” Ms Walford said.

After leading the implementation of an organisational transformation program within World Vision Australia, Jill Roche was instrumental in establishing a new group function for the organisation that includes policy and advocacy, public affairs, internal communications and governance.

A passionate leader, Jill aspires to lead teams who are able to successfully advocate for positive change on behalf of the worlds most vulnerable children and communities.

In applying for the scholarship Jill said she was looking forward to the opportunity to get ‘behind closed doors’ and connect with a group of highly competent professionals who are leaders in their field.

“The insights and experience I can gain through the process will also create a more well rounded leader for World Vision and our sector.” Ms Roche said.

Anne Holland, also awarded a 12-month fully funded membership into BCD Executive Melbourne, started her business Defib First in 2012 and subsequently founded Not For Profit and registered charity Urban Lifesavers in July 2015. Urban Lifesavers is focused on the ‘Back in a Heart Beat” campaign to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and the lifesaving use of defibrillators by members of the public.

In application for the scholarship, Ms Holland stated that a year of professional development, peer-to-peer mentoring and networking opportunities would take both her career and organisation to a level of leadership and business practice that would enhance the economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing of not just the business, but our society.

“I need to meet the challenges of best practice related to governance, executive and director responsibilities as well as keep abreast of legislation. To rise to these challenges, I recognise the value of mentoring, development of business acumen and access to wider business networks and referral resources.” Ms Holland 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.

Two runners up BCD Profit for Purpose scholarships, each providing an hour of mentoring, were awarded to Julia Smith, Head of Strategy and Performance, Headspace and Cassandra Hatton, General Manager HR, St Vincent De Paul.

Applications are now open in Melbourne for scholarships in the categories of Business Owner/Entrepreneur as well as Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Leader. As well as BCD funded scholarships, many organisations also choose to run internal company scholarships in providing opportunities for their female leaders.

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