Youthrive Victoria, CEO Departure
Youthrive Victoria announces the resignation of Chief Executive Officer, Dr Maryann Brown following twelve years of service. Maryann will remain in her role until our next CEO is appointed and following a comprehensive handover.
Maryann’s passion for education, rural community building and supporting the success of young people saw her join Youthrive in 2011, initially as senior education advisor. In 2016, she was appointed the CEO of Youthrive Victoria, formerly Macpherson Smith Rural Foundation.
Maryann has been a driving force in the endeavours of Youthrive Victoria for more than a decade, helping to transform lives and futures of rural and regional Victorians. Throughout her time at Youthrive, country Victoria has navigated many natural disasters and the compounding effects of the pandemic, particularly challenging for students in rural Victoria. However, Maryann and the team at Youthrive have continued to be a positive influence on those embarking on one of the most important times of their lives, leaving secondary school.
Throughout her earlier teaching career, Maryann recognised firsthand the power of community and how important education is. Her belief in young people, and the notion of capacity building from a young age, has been the cornerstone of her work at Youthrive.
Youthrive Victoria’s aim is to support young rural people and their communities build better futures. Under Maryann’s leadership, Youthrive now has over 500 alumni of the Young Rural Leaders program, has supported over $2.1 million in scholarships, has presented Dream Seeds® workshops to over 2000 students and launched the Rural Youth Network across regional Victoria.
Maryann leaves at a time where the organisation is embarking on future expansion. She leaves the legacy of a strong and capable team, deep relations with many wonderful supporters and a strategic plan that will be implemented over the next 18 – 24 months. In this growth phase, Youthrive aims to double the number of scholarships provided to young rural and regional Victorians next year and expand the reach and impact of its Rural Youth Network across the state.
“The highlight of my years with Youthrive has been the opportunity to work with so many young rural people who have gone on to do impressive things with their lives – they have been a true inspiration to us all,” she said. Maryann has always believed that the future is safe in the hands of our young people.
“I am looking forward to continuing to witness the transformative power Youthrive’s programs have on more of our rural and regional young people – but this time from the sidelines”. She reflects fondly on her time with Youthrive but says it is the right time to pass on the baton at an exciting junction towards future growth of the organisation.
“I would like to extend my thanks to Maryann on behalf of the Board, Youthrive team, students, alumni, partners and supporters for her hard work, passion, enthusiasm, and utmost dedication to supporting our young people fulfil their potential. We warmly wish Maryann all the very best for her next chapter,” says Bruce Anderson, Youthrive Victoria Chair.
Recruiting for the CEO position will commence shortly and there will be a handover period before Maryann’s departure which is envisaged at the end of the year.
For questions relating to the recruitment process, contact: Bruce Anderson, Youthrive Victoria Chair
bruce@theandersonpartnership.com.au or 0409 141 615.
For media enquiries contact: Suzi Browne, Communications and External Relations
suzi@youthrivevic.org.au or 0438 886 848.
About Youthrive Victoria
Youthrive Victoria’s purpose is to strengthen rural communities by supporting young people to be leaders. Its mission is to collaborate with partners, donors, communities, and alumni in delivering programs to young rural Victorians that empower them to develop their personal, professional and leadership capacities.
Our vision is that rural and regional communities will thrive with strong informed input from skilled, resilient, and motivated young people.
For more information please visit: https://www.youthrivevictoria.org.au/