This year marks 40 years of work in the violence against women sector for Heather, the last seven of which have been as the inaugural CEO of ANROWS.

Heather has made significant contributions to the field through the community services sector, government policy, and research. In addition to her current position, Heather’s career highlights include her roles as foundation Director of the Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research (2003-2014); Deputy Chair of the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children (2008-2009); Member of the Queensland Premier’s Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence, led by Dame Quentin Bryce (2014-15); and Co-Deputy Chair, with Rosie Batty, of the Council of Australian Government’s Advisory Panel on Reducing Violence against Women and their Children (2015-16).

Chair of the Board, Sam Mostyn AO, said “we commend Heather’s dedication to addressing violence against women and their children through her numerous state and national roles. Her personal attributes and professional skills were essential in the establishment of ANROWS and she has done a remarkable job as our CEO.

Dr Nancarrow said it had been a privilege to serve as ANROWS’s inaugural CEO: “I thank the ANROWS Board for allowing me the privilege of leading this extraordinary organisation over the past seven years. I will miss the ANROWS team and the satisfaction that comes from our work together and in collaboration with our many colleagues, enormously. ANROWS is at a critical stage in its evolution as we transition between the current and future national plans to reduce violence against women. I wish the Board and incoming CEO every success.

The position will be advertised as soon as possible, with an anticipated start date for a new CEO in late July 2021.