Case Studies

Windana

Worked with the Windana Board to place a new CEO

In 1984, a group of concerned community members led by Peter Bucci, raised community awareness and the need for St Kilda-based organisations to respond to the needs of people with alcohol and other drug-related problems. Having raised the necessary funds, the group bought a historic property in East St Kilda and established The Windana Society.

Windana today is a major non-government organisation with more than 150 staff catering directly to over 2000 clients annually, providing specialist drug and alcohol services. Windana has a committed and diverse staff group offering a range of skills, qualifications, and experience, including family, individual and group counselling, complementary therapies, social welfare, youth network, nutrition, art therapy, psychology, recreation and specialist health training. Some staff also bring a personal recovery experience from drug and alcohol dependence to their roles.

Windana

Galvin-Rowley Executive working in partnership with the Chair and selection panel.

Galvin-Rowley Executive recommended a targeted Australia-wide search, leveraging the existing networks, undertaking targeted research, and tapping into industry associations. This strategy was underpinned by online advertising, catching candidates coming onto the job market and potential candidates looking for the next career opportunity.

Whilst experience in NFP was not essential, some background in health or an affiliate within the sectors was considered necessary. Possible candidates were considered with backgrounds in mental health, community health, the corporate sector and aged care.

This comprehensive search resulted in a shortlist of five, derived from an impressive field of candidates.

Ultimately, Andrea McLeod was appointed in August 2021, having impressed the selection panel with her experience as General Manager of Disability, Early Years and Palliative Care at Melbourne.

Currently, the organisation receives funding from the Victorian Department of Health and the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services. Both Commonwealth and State drug and alcohol objectives are adopted, involving the utilisation of harm minimisation approaches and focus on minimal/benefit interventions and medium to long-term support.

Windana aims to offer a comprehensive range of quality services that assist people in taking the steps necessary to improve their quality of life.

In 2021, after years of growth, the Windana CEO resigned to take on her next career challenge. The Windana Board, led by Chair, Jenny Gillam, invited proposals to manage the search for the next CEO.

Galvin-Rowley Executive was selected to manage this search.

During her eight years with Windana, the outgoing CEO had grown the business from an annual $6m NFP to $23m with 150 staff. They are a highly respected, financially secure, affiliated service provider, offering integrated services across Victoria.

“In 2021, we worked with Jen to recruit the new CEO for Windana – a leading Victorian drug and alcohol recovery service.

She worked closely with us to ensure she had a good understanding of the brief, provided regular progress updates and delivered a strong shortlist from which we were able to select our new CEO. We found Jen’s approach and follow up to be really professional and engaging and we achieved a great outcome.”

Jenny Gillam, Windana Drug & Alcohol Recovery, Chair

What Our Clients Say

I first met Jennifer as a candidate. Having touched most of the major search firms as a candidate for executive roles and experienced first-hand their generally low level of candidate care, I have had no hesitation in recommending Jennifer to colleagues who are searching for a new job, or in using her myself as a preferred provider when in need of HR staff.

Mike Johnson

Former HR Director, SKILLED Group

Jen has really invested in understanding our culture and what attributes to look for to ensure a seamless team-fit. In addition, her definition of quality and high-calibre is the same as ours.
That makes life so much easier, and means we are consistently forced to make tough choices at the end of a relatively short recruitment period.
What else could we ask? Highly professional, and a calmly positive influence on us all.

Russell Parker

CEO, Kikki.K
Former CEO, Hallmark International

Galvin-Rowley Executive is a boutique executive placement agency that delivers above and beyond service with integrity to its clients.
The Director, Jennifer Galvin-Rowley, takes the time to understand her clients’ needs and then searches through her amazing network of contacts to find the right people for the right jobs.
Whilst I was CEO of BeyondBlue, Jennifer and her team were a delight to work with and I wouldn’t go anywhere else if I was looking for a key executive.

Dawn O’Neil, AM

Former CEO, BeyondBlue

For nine months we’d searched in vain for a HSE Manager. This was a difficult project: candidates were scarce, our standards were high, and the role was in the country.
When Jen was referred to us, she stood above the other recruiters for three reasons: she dealt in specialist OH&S Managers; she knew how to fill rural roles; and she didn’t advertise—she searched.
Jen approached the task with imagination. Her ideas were unusual, yet so logical. She handled candidates with promptness and respect, and we swiftly found and hired a great fit. I therefore suggest you let Jen recruit your next manager.

Jim Cooper

CEO, Port of Portland

Over the past decade I have engaged Jenny on a number of occasions to source talent across a variety of roles, specifically in HR. She is excellent in her client management as well as her candidate care.
She is responsive to the more challenging assignments and creates a realistic expectation for both the client and her deliverables. Given the service she has provided each time, I have consistently sought her out as a provider and truly value the relationship.