Politican and businesswoman Ruth Webber has been appointed CEO of Down Syndrome Australia, a position she will take up early this year.
Webber had a decorated career in politics which culminated in her election to the Western Australian Senate. Prior to her election, she worked as a policy advisor and campaigner for the Australian Labor Party. Since leaving the Senate, she has advised a number of not-for-profit organisations.
She is also currently serving as the Deputy President of the Mental Illness Fellowship of Western Australia and has also served on a series of boards, including Women’s Health Works and Carer Western Australia.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the Down syndrome community. In politics I always worried about the sections of our society that either didn’t know how to access the political system or weren’t able to,” Webber said.
“I’m hoping I can use whatever skills, networks and knowledge I have to bring the Down syndrome community’s issues to the attention of the government and other key decision makers, in the hope that we can all work together and build a more confident and secure future for people with Down syndrome.”
She will take over the position from acting CEO Jackie Softly.