I’m very proud of everything that we have achieved together during my time leading the organisation. There’s still much that remains to be done at EJA but I think it’s time for someone else to take the reins.
I’m thrilled to advise that after a thorough recruitment process, the Board of EJA has appointed Nicola Rivers and Elizabeth McKinnon as Co-CEOs. I have had the pleasure of working closely with both Nicola and Elizabeth and I am very confident that they will be wonderful leaders of the EJA team.
Nicola has been with Environmental Justice Australia for 11 years, leading our law reform and advocacy work. Prior to joining us she worked in government and with the Environment Defenders Office in Western Australia. Elizabeth also has a long history with us, having worked with us as a public interest litigation lawyer for 6 years before working as in-house counsel at the Australian Conservation Foundation for the last 7 years.
Both would be wonderful organisational leaders on their own. As a combination I think they will be formidable. I think it’s great that two such accomplished women will be taking up well deserved leadership roles in the environment movement. I’m proud that the EJA board has been ready to adopt a co-CEO model to make this happen.
My last day as CEO will be on 29 June, 2020 and Nicola and Elizabeth will take up their new role immediately. Thank you to the EJA board, staff team, volunteers, clients, funders, donors, partners and collaborators for your encouragement and support during my leadership of the organisation. I look forward to watching the organisation grow and develop under the leadership of Nicola and Elizabeth.
— Brendan Sydes, CEO & Lawyer, EJA