Sutherland Shire Family Services (SSFS) has a new leader to take the reins.
Ashleigh Daines has been appointed chief executive of the organisation that provides assistance to disadvantaged families from backgrounds of violence and trauma.
Mrs Daines replaces Diane Manns, who after 17 years of leading the team including five of those years as boss, has taken up a position as a senior policy advisor for the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence.
The new leader of SSFS comes from South Eastern Community Connect (SECC), an Eastlakes based community service organisation that aims to improve social inclusion and quality of life. There she was deputy chief executive.
She arrives well versed, with an executive masters in business administration and a bachelor of health science.
She has frontline and management experience working with children and their families, in Out of School Hours Care, adolescent services, aged care support, community strengthening programs and initiatives, homelessness, drug and alcohol support and fundraising and volunteer coordination.
Mrs Daines is also a board member of NSW Family Services, the state's peak body supporting non-government organisations working with vulnerable children, young people, families and communities.
She has been instrumental in developing innovative projects that have empowered people through collaborative involvement.
The board describes her as a highly intelligent, dynamic, excellent communicator who is passionate about achieving safer outcomes for families.
A shire resident herself, she says she is looking forward to starting the job on October 8.
"I am honoured to have the opportunity to join SSFS and continue to support the strong foundations which exist within the organisation's current programs and services," she said.
"As a resident, it is important to me that SSFS has the opportunity to continue to be innovative and responsive to key community issues through the organisation's core values.
"I believe that through the wonderful history of which SSFS has to draw upon and the richness and expertise of our staff, there continues to be a bright future ahead for the organisation and our community."
