Charlene Davison appointed CEO of The GO Foundation

Charlene Davison appointed CEO of The GO Foundation

The Go Foundation has a new CEO, with Charlene Davison to take the helm of the organization co founded by Adam Goodes, Michael O’Loughlin and James Gallichan to support education opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholars and their families.

The appointment comes as the GO Foundation declares it’s awarded more than 600 scholarships since 2014, to students ranging from primary school to PhD candidates.

Davidson is a Biripi Gadigal woman who brings more than two decades of experience in change management across the government and community sectors to the role. She has a proven track record of implementing sector-wide programs and strategies that improve outcomes for Aboriginal people.

She was appointed to the role by Yuin woman and Chair of The GO Foundation, Sonja Stewart, who noted the “extensive search” that included “compelling conversations with an incredible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent pool”.

Davidson said she has a clear sense of the challenges and opportunities ahead.

“The Board has clearly signaled their ambition for GO to build deeper collaboration across the sector to disrupt broken systems with a focus on anti-racism strategies designed to emancipate Indigenous excellence and create unprecedented pathways of opportunity and prosperity. 

‘I like the sound of that challenge’, Charlene said.

Adam Goodes described the appointment as a “proud moment for the GO Foundation.”

“Charlene’s appointment follows that of Sonja, a proud Yuin woman, as our first Indigenous Chair in 2020 and both Charlene and Sonja are inspiring role models for our GO Scholars who will be part of the next generation of Indigenous leaders.”

Michael O’Loughlin highlighted how the GO Foundation is “driven by a burning descire to create opportunities and freedom of choice for Indigenous young people through the power of education.”

He said their scholarship program is delivered by a world class team driven by the values of integrity, equality, opportunity and strength in culture.

Davidson will be leaving the NSW Department of Education to take up the role, where she is currently Director of Kimberwalli and previously Manager of Aboriginal Initiatives with Training Services NSW.

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