Alzheimer’s Australia Announces New National CEO

By Petrina Smith
Monday, 27 October, 2014

Alzheimer's Australia has announced Ms Carol Bennett as the new Chief Executive Officer. She will commence her new role before Christmas 2014.

Graeme Samuel AC, Chair of Alzheimer’s Australia said, ‘We are delighted to be able to attract a CEO of Ms Bennett’s calibre into this important role. Ms Bennett has been a leader in the Australian national health policy area for a number of years. During this time, Carol has been CEO of some of Australia’s leading health organisations including the Consumers Health Forum of Australia, the Australian Rural and Remote Workforce Agencies Group (now Rural Health Workforce Australia) and the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association. She has also been a consultant to a number of influential health organisations including beyondblue’.

Carol is committed to community and consumer engagement as reflected in her appointments to the International Alliance of Patient Organisations and the National Health and Medical Research Council representing community interests.

‘Carol has a reputation for achieving real outcomes in the organisations she has managed and her capacity to work collaboratively with many key stakeholders will be an asset to Alzheimer’s Australia as it continues to forge new opportunities to improve the experiences of Australians living with dementia,’ Mr Samuel said.

Ms Bennett said, ‘Alzheimer’s is an important issue for all Australians. We all know someone who has been touched by this disease, and its prevalence is increasing significantly. I am honoured to have this opportunity to build on the great work Alzheimer’s Australia has been doing for the past 15 years under Glenn Rees’ excellent leadership. If we do our job well, we can improve the lives of millions of Australians. I welcome that challenge.’

Graeme Samuel also paid tribute to the work of outgoing CEO Glenn Rees. ‘Over the last 15 years of Glenn Rees leadership, Alzheimer’s Australia has established itself as a leading consumer advocacy organisation. Glenn helped deliver: the Dementia Initiative in 2005; the commitments in the 2012 aged care reforms to quality dementia care; timely diagnosis of dementia; better dementia care in hospitals and dementia risk reduction; and an additional $200 million for dementia research in the 2014 Federal Budget. Alzheimer’s Australia is now better positioned through the commitment of its state and territory organisations to provide valued care and support to people living with dementia through the significant funding provided from the Commonwealth.

Glenn Rees is leaving to assumer the role as Chair of Alzheimer’s Disease International.