Benevolent Society appoints Lin Hatfield Dodds as CEO

The Benevolent Society has appointed former Commonwealth public servant and aged care peak head Lin Hatfield Dodds as its incoming chief executive officer.

Ms Hatfield Dodds, who is Associate Dean at The Australia and New Zealand School of Government, has extensive experience in social policy, systems leadership, cross sector social innovation and operations.

She was deputy secretary of social policy in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet from 2016 to 2019 where she led whole of government advice to the Prime Minister on social policy issues and gender equality.

Prior to this, Ms Hatfield Dodds was national director of aged care peak body UnitingCare Australia from 2002 to 2016.

She has also served on several boards and government advisory bodies including as chair of the Australian Social Inclusion Board and president of the Australian Council of Social Service.

The Benevolent Society chair Tim Beresford said it was clear to the board that Ms Hatfield Dodds had the right attributes to lead the organisation. 

“She is a strong systems leader and is highly-skilled in policy and regulation, which will be vital to our new integrated delivery approach across our child, youth and family, disability and ageing services,” Mr Beresford said.

“We have every confidence that Lin will build on The Benevolent Society’s momentum supporting thousands of Australians to live their life their way, by delivering first-rate services and advocating for their needs,” he said.

Ms Hatfield Dodds commences as CEO on 19 July. She replaces Jo Toohey, who announced her resignation in March after eight years as CEO.

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