Portrait of Katherine Ellis

After an extensive recruitment process, YACVic has appointed Katherine Ellis as YACVic’s new Chief Executive Officer to lead Victoria’s peak body for young people and the youth sector into its next exciting chapter.

She will officially start in the role on Monday May 27.

Katherine has over 25 years of diverse experience in senior positions across private, public and not-for-profit sectors, with extensive expertise in youth development policy and practice, organizational leadership and change management, and cross-sectoral collaboration.

This includes five years leading and transforming the Reach Foundation, as well as consulting other organisations such as Teach for Australia and the Foundation for Young Australians.

“I’m delighted to be taking on the leadership of YACVic, which plays a crucial role in advocating for the young people of Victoria, and providing vital support and representation for the youth sector,” Katherine said.

For the past six years she has been based in London, working as Director of Youth Affairs at the Commonwealth of Nations, working on youth empowerment policy and programming across 53 countries with governments, youth leaders, and other stakeholders.

“I look forward to working with all the amazing young people, advocates, workers and other stakeholders relevant to Victoria’s youth sector.

“Together, we can make sure that the unique needs, perspectives and contributions of young people are widely recognized, respected and supported.”

Katherine holds a Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School, a Master in e-Business, a Bachelor of Commerce and a Diploma of Youth Work.