20 December 2021

Jilya is excited to announce the appointment of their first Chief Operating Officer, Mr Stuart MacLeod who will commence with Jilya on 20th December, 2021.

As our first COO, Stuart brings with him a wealth of experience in the not-for-profit sector. He joins the Jilya family as former General Manager of community radio station RTRFM from 2015 – 2018 and General Manager of FolkWorld from 2018 – 2021.

Stuart has a strong, proven track record of exemplary strategic planning, governance, financial management and leadership. He places particular emphasis on the values of integrity, authenticity, transparency, resilience, equality, accountability, optimism and collaboration. Stuart also brings to the role a wealth of knowledge and experience in the arts, as a founding member of iconic Australian band, Eskimo Joe. These skills will prove invaluable in growing Jilya’s annual fundraising concert

“I am truly excited to be joining the Jilya family and honoured to have been entrusted with its leadership. I love the passion and confidence that Jilya inspires. It has big ideas, and lofty goals. In terms of Indigenous mental health, I cannot think of a more vital organisation at this point in Australia’s history.”

Stuart’s engagement as COO recognizes that the lofty goals we aim to achieve can only occur with non-Indigenous Australians walking this journey with us and feeling equally responsible to do the heavy lifting required to address these unacceptable statistics that have plagued our country for decades.

Following an extensive, Australia wide recruitment process, Stuart’s appointment as Jilya’s first COO comes on the back of an extraordinary first year of achievements at Jilya. The recent announcement of two exemplary Indigenous board members, Professor Shane Hearn and Ms Yolonda Adams; the awarding of 26 Indigenous psychology scholarships in our first year; two successful grants, and finally our Jilya fundraising concert that featured a stellar line up of incredible Australian artists and raised over $200,000 for our scholarship fund.

Jilya has big goals; but if our first 12 months is an indicator, we are excited for what the future holds.

To find out more about the Jilya Institute or enquire about sponsorship opportunities please email admin@thejilyainstitute.com.au, or to donate visit https://www.thejilyainstitute.com.au/donate/