ASRC Board Chair transition

A message from our CEO, Kon Karapanagiotidis

After eight years as a volunteer and then ASRC Board member with six years as its Chair, Matthew Tutty has decided to stand down as ASRC Chair to pursue new opportunities overseas. During his tenure, the organisation has grown four-fold, matured its strategy and sustainability, and expanded into innovation and social enterprise, to champion a better way forward for refugees.

Matthew has left an incredible legacy and we thank him for his selfless leadership, integrity and unfaltering commitment to creating positive change for people seeking asylum in Australia.

Mike Sum, our current Treasurer, is acting in the position of Chair. Mike has served on the ASRC Board for the past three years and as Acting Chair, will provide strong governance through the development of our next three-year Strategic Plan over the coming months. Mike’s experience and proven strategic acumen, along with his passion and deep understanding of the ASRC will ensure continuity and confidence.

As a Consulting Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Australia, Mike is passionate about the Not For Profit (NFP) space. He has worked with the Melbourne School for Social Entrepreneurs, Social Traders and a number of PwC’s NFP clients. Following studies at Oxford University, Mike has spent over 25 years in international business roles in the oil and gas and management consulting industries in the UK, Europe, Africa and Asia. In his role at PwC, he supports major corporate clients to develop and execute mergers, acquisitions, growth and productivity strategies, as well as leading PwC’s Cultural Diversity & Inclusion employee network.

Mike steps into the role with the organisation in great shape and well placed to meet the current and evolving needs of people seeking asylum in Australia. With the support Egon Zehnder, an executive recruitment firm, the Board will develop a succession plan for the appointment of a permanent Chair.

Thank you for standing with us, supporting work that ensures people seeking asylum have their human rights upheld and the support and opportunities they need to live and thrive in Australia. Once again, I thank you for your generous and ongoing support and I look forward to keeping you updated.