Dear valued Volunteers, Members and Stakeholders,
Subject: CEO Transition at Volunteering Victoria
As Chair of the Volunteering Victoria Board, I am writing to update you on recent leadership developments and upcoming changes at Volunteering Victoria.
During our recent Annual General Meeting, we shared the news that our CEO, Thu-Trang Tran, had taken personal leave. Regrettably, at the last Board meeting Thu-Trang informed us that her ongoing family circumstances required her full capacity, and she has offered her resignation. The Board has accepted her resignation with a heavy heart and extends our deepest support to Thu-Trang and her family during this challenging time.
Thu-Trang has been an invaluable asset to our organisation, contributing her sharp intellect, deep commitment to volunteering, and strategic insights that have significantly influenced our direction. Her leadership has played a crucial role in guiding us through a transformative period, and we are grateful for her dedication and vision during her time at Volunteering Victoria. Her leadership has been instrumental in steering the organisation, and we express our gratitude for the dedication and vision she has brought to Volunteering Victoria during her tenure.
We acknowledge Thu-Trang’s outstanding service and thank her for her exceptional work, particularly in leading the implementation of our 2022-25 Strategic Plan. While we are saddened by her departure, we fully support her decision to prioritise her family, and we offer unwavering support as she enters this new chapter. Thu-Trang’s last day with Volunteering Victoria will be December 22nd.
In response to this circumstance, the Board is committed to ensuring a seamless continuation of our services as Victoria’s peak for volunteering, as well as best supporting our team of volunteers and staff through this transition.
We recognise the need for strong leadership during this time and have immediately appointed Geoff Sharp as CEO through until the end of the financial year.
We intend to unveil the next phase of our organisational journey and next steps in leadership at our State Conference in June.
Geoff brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, having served on the Volunteering Victoria Board for six years. He has a deep understanding of our organisation, the volunteering landscape, and the not-for-profit sector. Geoff specialises in driving systemic change and employing collaborative approaches to address complex social issues, making him ideally suited to lead as CEO during this time, particularly in light of the wider challenges for volunteering and our members.
His background also includes:
- executive leadership of community philanthropic organisations (notably a regional volunteer resource centre and chairing the Victorian Volunteer Support Network),
- facilitating strategy, systemic change, and organisational change initiatives,
- recent involvement as backbone lead for the ‘Early Years Catalyst’ project, supporting innovative systemic knowledge, change and practise across the Early Years Field.
Geoff has been assisting Thu-Trang one day a week and will assume full responsibilities in the new year. I encourage you to extend a warm welcome to Geoff and to share your insights and thoughts on volunteering in Victoria with him. Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] with “CEO” as the subject line.
If you wish to convey a personal message to Thu-Trang, please direct it to our team at the same email address, [email protected], and they will ensure it reaches her.
In closing, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your continued dedication and support of Volunteering Victoria. Together, we will navigate this transition and continue our vital work in building thriving, inclusive communities across Victoria.
Warm regards,
Bronwen Clark
Chair, Volunteering Victoria Board
