Foundation’s CEO to step down after historic term

THE Give Where You Live Foundation’s long-serving chief executive officer will step down at the end of the year.

After 13 years at the helm of the prolific Geelong-based organisation, Bill Mithen announced on Friday last week that it was time for new leadership to take the foundation forward into its next chapter.

It marks an end to his historic term as the organisation’s longest serving chief in its 70-year history.

“Serving as CEO has been an incredibly rewarding and humbling experience, and I am deeply grateful to the foundation board, our incredible team, and all our supporters,” Mr Mithen said.

“For 13 years I have been a part of an incredible team at the Give Where you Live Foundation. Their dedication to fairness, passion for the community and commitment to doing more has been extraordinary.

“One of the great privileges has been to play a small role in supporting the extraordinary frontline community service agencies in our region. They are on the ground doing the hard work and helping countless people in our community.

“They have always been a great inspiration to all of us and we all continue to owe them a great debt of gratitude.”

Mr Mithen listed the foundation’s evolution from grant maker to actively delivering a range of its own changemaking initiatives, and its “bold decision” to change its rules of incorporation to commit 1 per cent of its total annual revenue to the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, as key highlights of his tenure.

Give Where You Live Foundation board chair Daleene Kroger said the organisation had achieved remarkable success under Mr Mithen’s leadership.

“He has played a key role in launching some of the foundation’s most impactful initiatives and during his time as CEO, the foundation has generated over $50 million in revenue to support the Geelong community,” she said.

“Bill has also been instrumental in developing the foundation’s 2030 strategy, which has transformed how the organisation creates impact.

“This transformation has seen the foundation evolve and expand its efforts beyond traditional grant funding, embracing a wide range of change initiatives, actions and support to help create community change.

“I extend our sincere thanks to him for his dedicated leadership, expertise and commitment over the past 13 years. I am sure Bill will not be lost to our community and we’re excited to see what will come next.”

The search to find Mr Mithen’s replacement is now under way.

Mr Mithen has yet to confirm his next move.