Uniting NSW.ACT CEO Tracey Burton to retire
After eight years at the helm, Tracey Burton will retire later this year, concluding her tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the faith-based Not For Profit she has led since 2018.
Tracey will be a speaker at the DCM Group’s LEADERS SUMMIT in Sydney next month.
Since joining the organisation in 2018 from an Executive Director role with St John of God Health Care, Tracey has led Uniting NSW.ACT through a period of significant transformation, growth and complexity, while remaining grounded in the mission and values of the Uniting Church, the Not For Profit said in a release.
“Her tenure has been defined by moral clarity, courage in advocacy and a relentless focus on improving the lives of people and communities experiencing disadvantage,” it continued.
Chair of the Uniting Board, Liz Nicol, said Tracey’s leadership has left a lasting mark on Uniting NSW.ACT, the UnitingCare Australia network and the broader social services sector.
Over the next 15 years, the charity is expected to deliver 1947 residential aged care beds, 4117 retirement village units and replace 98 rental units.
“Tracey has been a remarkable Chief Executive whose leadership has combined strength with compassion. She has never shied away from the hard conversations or the difficult reforms, and she has ensured that Uniting has remained a trusted, values-led voice on issues that matter.”
Tracey’s leadership tested by COVID-19
Liz said Tracey’s leadership was tested early in her tenure, when Uniting, like the rest of the community and the social services sector, faced the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Under Tracey’s guidance, Uniting continued to deliver essential services to vulnerable communities while navigating extraordinary public health, workforce and operational pressures. Her calm and values-led leadership ensured continuity of care and reinforced our commitment to compassion, dignity and connection during a period of profound uncertainty,” she said.
Reflecting back on her time at Uniting, Liz said a defining achievement of Tracey’s leadership has been her stewardship of Uniting’s 10-Year Strategy, setting a new direction for the organisation.
“The strategy represents a significant step change for Uniting, strengthening our capacity to respond to entrenched disadvantage while positioning the organisation to deliver impact well into the future,” Liz added.
An advocate for reform
Throughout her eight years as CEO, Tracey has also been a leading advocate for reform, particularly in the seniors and aged care space.
She consistently called for the unfinished work of the Aged Care Royal Commission to be completed, emphasising the need for proper and sustainable funding.
Tracey has also been vocal on the need for increased consumer contributions in aged care, with an appropriate safety net for those without financial means, as part of the Plan B campaign that led to the establishment of the Aged Care Taskforce and a new funding model for the sector.
Liz said Tracey leaves Uniting well positioned for the future.
“Throughout her time with us, Tracey has ensured that our foundation in the Uniting Church’s mission has always been at the forefront, and she has been a passionate champion for Uniting’s people and culture.
“She has ensured that our advocacy reflects our values, even when that advocacy is challenging, and she leaves Uniting well positioned to carry forward both its strategy and its responsibility to speak out for those whose voices are too often unheard.”
A privilege to lead Uniting: Tracey Burton
Tracey said it had been an enormous privilege to lead Uniting during a period of such profound change.
“People are at the heart of everything we do at Uniting. I am incredibly grateful for our leaders, employees and volunteers – thanks to their dedication, we have been able to support hundreds of thousands of clients across metropolitan, regional and rural NSW and the ACT,” she said..
“I feel incredibly proud of what we have achieved together and deeply grateful to the people and communities who make Uniting what it is. I believe the time is right to enable new leadership to guide the next phase of our strategy.
“I am firmly committed to delivering a seamless leadership transition and to ensuring the continued delivery of our supports and services in individual lives and across the systems that impact them.”
The Board will shortly commence a recruitment process with an external, national search for Uniting’s next CEO. Tracey will remain in her role until a successor is appointed.
