VMCH CEO Sonya Smart named Not For Profit Executive of Year
“Sonya is a bold thinker – a disruptor in the best sense of the word – who has never been afraid to take risks when it means creating better outcomes for the people and communities VMCH serves.”
Sonya was one of 14 top executives in the Not For Profit category, taking out the title at a gala event hosted by The CEO Magazine in Melbourne on 12 November.
The national awards celebrate outstanding leadership and achievement across all sectors, recognising executives who have made a significant impact on their organisations and the broader community.
Under Sonya’s guidance, VMCH has grown in capability, scale and impact, with a stronger financial position and broader support for the communities it serves. Sonya has also played a key role in shaping aged care reform as a member of the Aged Care Transition Taskforce, and has championed innovation in dementia and palliative care.
Last month, VMCH saw the first residents move into its $250M flagship retirement village St. Clare in Kew, 5km east of the Melbourne CBD. In August, VMCH received development approval for St. Francis on the Park retirement village in Ivanhoe East, 10km northeast of the state capital.
“To be named Executive of the Year among such an inspiring group of leaders is an extraordinary honour. I am proud to represent the Not For Profit sector and to shine a light on the vital work we do for some of the most vulnerable people in our community,” she said.
Since joining the organisation in 2017, VMCH has transformed into a sector leader, launching social enterprises that create meaningful employment for people with disability, expanding its retirement living and affordable homes portfolios, and pioneering new models of care that prioritise dignity and connection.
VMCH Board Chairman Julien O’Connell AO, who accepted the award on Sonya’s behalf (pictured above), said Sonya’s achievements are not just numbers – they represent lives changed, communities strengthened, and a sector inspired to reach higher.
“Sonya is a bold thinker – a disruptor in the best sense of the word – who has never been afraid to take risks when it means creating better outcomes for the people and communities VMCH serves,” he said.
“On a personal note, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Sonya for many years. She leads with quiet determination, integrity, and a fierce commitment to purpose. Her humility is matched only by her courage to challenge the status quo.
"Sonya brings not just strategic vision and heart to her leadership, but also a quick wit that lifts the spirits of everyone around her. That rare combination is what makes her truly exceptional.”
