Inaugural CEO appointed to Great Ocean Road peak body

TORQUAY resident and Centenary Medal winner Jodie Sizer has been named the inaugural chief executive of the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks authority (GORCAPA).

Appointed on March 31 following an extensive search, Ms Sizer is anticipated to commence her role mid-year.

Ms Sizer is currently the co-CEO of Indigenous Consulting, the first majority Indigenous owned member firm of the PwC Global network.

After commencing her career as an accountant with Ernst and Young, she has gone on to work across private and public sectors in several Indigenous organisations and is currently the chair of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and a director of the Collingwood Football Club.

Ms Sizer’s many accolades include being inducted into the Victorian Women’s Honour roll, a finalist for Telstra’s Businesses Woman of the Year, listed in the Who’s Who of Australian Women and listed as one of Australia’s 100 Women of Influence by the Australian Financial Review.

GORCAPA chair Libby Mears said Ms Sizer will bring dynamic leadership skills, expertise in transformational change and critical skills in economic and regional development to her newly appointed position.

“Jodie is a passionate Djap Wurrung/Gunditjmara woman who is committed to creating positive impact through empowering communities, building diverse high performing teams and realising opportunity,” she said.

“Jodie’s strong values-based leadership and genuine passion for the Great Ocean Road environment really impressed the board.

“She understands the importance of listening, creating trust, bringing research and evidence and testing ideas as the foundations for the future of the Authority.”

As chief executive officer, Ms Sizer will be tasked with driving the authority’s agenda to simplify land management arrangements and deliver economic benefits balanced with environmental sustainability.

Ms Sizer will be instrumental to implementing strategies to protect, conserve and manage the Great Ocean Road, while responding to the challenges of increased visitation and climate change concerns.