After more than seven years as Fams’ CEO, Julie Hourigan Ruse has taken on a new role at a national charity.
“It is with mixed emotions that I have resigned as CEO of Fams,” Julie said.
“I miss working with clients and it’s time to go back.”
Julie will begin as CEO of SHINE for Kids on 31 January, replacing Acting CEO April Long.
“Joining SHINE for Kids as their CEO brings together my career as a lawyer and advocate for people experiencing vulnerability,” she said.
“SHINE for Kids provides critical services to children and young people across Australia affected by the criminal justice system. I’m excited to join the SHINE team and work with the Board to deliver child-focused services with integrity and equity.”
Julie’s passion and determination for better social outcomes for children, young people and communities, alongside her extensive leadership and advocacy skills, led to her appointment as CEO of Fams in August 2014.
Julie feels it’s the right time to move on and continue to follow her passion to support children in frontline service delivery.
Under Julie’s leadership, Fams has grown to be a highly regarded NSW peak organisation which plays a critical role in providing unwavering and dependable advocacy, action and advice to transform the system so that vulnerable children and families get the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
“It has been my pleasure and privilege to be the CEO during a time that has seen Fams become the go-to trusted advisor of the NSW Government and sector, and influential public voice raising awareness of children and families at risk,” Julie said.
“I thank Fams’ staff, partners and supporters for the contributing to better outcomes for vulnerable children and making my time at Fams so memorable.
“This decision was not an easy one, but I leave Fams knowing that the organisation is strongly placed to continue into the future with initiatives that are responsive to key issues in our community and sector.”
Chair of the Board, Ashleigh Daines, thanks Julie for her inspiring leadership and commitment to advocate for greater outcomes for vulnerable children and communities across NSW.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside Julie,” she said.
“The Fams Board is sorry to see Julie’s time at Fams come to an end but we give our blessing to her decision and future endeavours.”
“Fams’ strategic plan and vision for the future means we are well-placed to continue to build on the foundations that Julie and the Fams team have established for the organisation and have some exciting initiatives coming in the year ahead.”
The Board’s search to select a new CEO is well underway, and Fams will communicate the outcome of this process at the appropriate time.
In the meantime, Kim Stace will serve as Acting CEO.
