There are some changes happening at the ATDC.
Many of you reading this may already be aware that I have been announced as one of 24 participants selected into the 2022 Social Impact Leadership Australia Program. I join an impressive group of for-purpose leaders including four other Tasmanian chief executives including Adrienne Picone (TasCOSS), Michael Kelly (Relationships Australia Tasmania), Jo Flannagan (Women’s Health Tasmania) and James Hattam (Tasmanian Land Conservancy).
It’s an incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will provide professional development opportunities for not just me, but others in the organisation including the Board and also my wonderful 2IC, Dr Jackie Hallam.
A key component of the SILA program is a fully funded three month sabbatical, which I will be commencing in early 2023. Prior to commencing the sabbatical I will be heading off to take some annual leave in early December – so this will be my last CEO Update until I return again at the start of May 2023!
The ATDC is in exceptionally good hands while I am away. Jackie Hallam will step up into the role of Acting CEO and will work with the team to continue progressing a number of ATDC priorities. This includes working alongside our sector during several government consultations scheduled for early next year including the finalisation of the Tasmanian Drug Strategy and the Tasmanian Reform Agenda for Alcohol and other Drug Treatment Services. Planning is also well underway for the ATDC 2023 Conference (Save the Date! 21/22 June 2023), and a there are a number of planned activities across lived experience, workforce training and policy to occur in the first half of next year.
I am naturally excited about undertaking the sabbatical, and I am also looking forward to taking some quality time to spend with my family. Equally, I am looking forward to next year, and returning to the team and a sector that I love working in.
There has never been a better time to be working in the alcohol and other drug sector, and I will be back!
My last day in the office will be Friday, 2 December 2022. Please reach out to me before then if you’d like to connect before I leave – otherwise I look forward to reconnecting with you when I return next year.
Alison Lai
CEO
When you first meet Alison, you will no doubt observe her as someone with a quiet demeanour and calm confidence. But hiding behind the soft voice, and measured comments is a fierce change-maker who is a deep thinker of thoughts and feeler of feelings – these are elements of Alison you will enjoy if you are lucky enough to get to know her more. Alison’s natural curiosity and thoughtful consideration lead to astute insights, which she communicates with great care and compassion.Read more✖Alison Lai
When you first meet Alison, you will no doubt observe her as someone with a quiet demeanour and calm confidence. But hiding behind the soft voice, and measured comments is a fierce change-maker who is a deep thinker of thoughts and feeler of feelings – these are elements of Alison you will enjoy if you are lucky enough to get to know her more. Alison’s natural curiosity and thoughtful consideration lead to astute insights, which she communicates with great care and compassion. Alison has had a long career in the State Government and Community Sector in Tasmania, leading and learning at every level. She is a hard worker and creative problem-solver, with fairness and equality for all Tasmanians always at the front of her mind. Despite her many career and academic achievements, Alison is just about as ‘real’ as CEOs get. Fondly referring to herself as ‘sophisticated ocker’, Alison’s passion for sport, her endless collection of Christmas jumpers, and a good laugh means fun is never far away. In the future, Alison hopes to see strong and meaningful engagement with community by all levels of government as the status-quo. She also hopes to see compassion and empathy seen as equally strong and impactful leadership traits as aggression and brute force are today – and she plans to continue to lead by example in this way. Career highlights:
- CEO of ATDC and before that, CEO of Volunteering Tasmania
- Formal recognition for raising professionalism and showing leadership in the Volunteering, Sport and Recreation, and Alcohol and Other Drugs sectors
- Acceptance into the Social Impact Leadership Australia Program
- Completing her Bachelor of Commerce with Honours (Marketing and Entrepreneurship)
