Cultura CEO to retire

LOCAL multicultural organisation Cultura is on the hunt for a new chief executive officer, following current chief Joy Leggo’s decision to retire later this year.

Ms Leggo has led the organisation since its establishment in 2021, which resulted from the merger between Multicultural Aged Care Services (MACS) and Diversitat.

She stepped into the role after serving 27 years as the CEO of MACS.

Cultura board chair Gillian Costa said Ms Leggo had been instrumental in shaping Cultura into the organisation it is today.

“For over 30 years, Joy has championed the expansion of care and support services to the diverse, multicultural sector in Geelong,” she said.

“Cultura is an organisation that at its heart represents 85 different nationalities and, as a relatively new organisation, we are still creating our own culture and Joy has shaped the entire direction of this with her clear vision, passion, knowledge and expertise in this space.

“She has encouraged engagement across all levels of Cultura while demonstrating the ability to make sound informed decisions based on facts with a focus on delivering exceptional services to our service participants and the wider multicultural community. It’s not every day you meet someone as extraordinary as Joy.

“She truly is a force to be reckoned with and we will miss her creativity, loyalty, passion and bravery as a leader.”

 

 

Ms Costa said Cultura was looking to the future and a robust recruitment process was underway to find a new CEO to guide the organisation into its next phase of growth.

Now 69, Ms Leggo has been volunteering since the age of 15 and in 2023 was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to the community in the aged care and diversity space.

She said serving as Cultura’s CEO had been an “incredibly rewarding and humbling experience”.

“In Geelong, we embrace the ‘different’ and celebrate the ‘different’ and the tireless work we do at Cultura is testament to this,” she said.

“Victoria has a long history of multiculturalism, and this diversity enriches everyone. It promotes understanding, brings new ideas, extends our skills, attracts businesses and creates new jobs.

“I am incredibly proud of our organisation for all we do in this space and the difference we make in these people’s lives.”

Ms Leggo said she will continue to work and volunteer for the community for as long as she is able, but “the time is right” for a new chief to lead Cultura into its next chapter.

While a date has not yet been set for Ms Leggo’s departure, she is expected to step down in July.