Zoe Francis will act in the role of Chief Executive Officer at Women’s Health in the South East from 21 September 2026, while the Board conducts an open recruitment process for a permanent appointment. Applications for the permanent role close at midnight on Sunday 27 September 2026.

“Zoe Francis knows this region and she knows the work. The Board’s first responsibility in a transition is continuity, and appointing from within means the partnerships, the projects and the commitments made to councils and community organisations carry on without interruption,” said WHISE Board Chair Claire McMahon.

“We are also taking the time to get the permanent appointment right. This role holds a public feminist and intersectional position, with government, with the media and across the sector. The Board would rather run a thorough and accessible process than a fast one.”

Ms Francis is currently Acting Manager Women’s Health and Wellbeing at WHISE and will work alongside the senior team and the Board for the duration of the interim appointment.

“On behalf of the Board and members of WHISE we want to thank Kit McMahon for her leadership and service to our organisation for the last eight years. Since 2017, Kit has led our organisation through challenges, growth and successes and has strengthened our position in our region, with our community, government and agencies,” said the Chair Claire McMahon

Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) is the regional women’s health service for Victoria’s Southern Metropolitan Region, working across ten local government areas and 1.56 million people. WHISE is the backbone organisation for the Promoting Respect and Equity Together (PRET) Partnership, 2025 to 2030, where sixty partner organisations are delivering forty-four primary prevention projects.

Recruitment is open and running through Searchlight Group

The Board has engaged Searchlight Group to conduct the recruitment, led by Managing Director Michael Holdway. The position is permanent and full time. The Board has asked for an accessible and culturally safe process, and applications are encouraged from people who are underrepresented in chief executive roles.

Full details of the role and how to apply are at https://searchlightgroup.com.au/jobs/chief-executive-officer-6/ or by contacting Michael Holdway at Searchlight Group on 0400 006 513 or michael@searchlightgroup.com.au. Applications close at midnight on Sunday 27 September 2026.

“Nothing about the next few months is a holding pattern. The prevention work in this region is built and it is running, in schools, in councils, in workplaces and in health services, and it keeps running while the Board makes its appointment,” Ms Francis said.

ENDS

Media contact: Dos Hetherington, dhetherington@whise.org.au

About WHISE

Women’s Health in the South East is the regional women’s health service for Victoria’s Southern Metropolitan Region, working across ten local government areas. WHISE is a place-based, intersectional primary prevention organisation focused on gender equality, the prevention of violence against women, sexual and reproductive health, and gender and mental wellbeing.

www.whise.org.au

Notes to editors

Women’s Health in the South East, organisational information

• WHISE has served Victoria’s Southern Metropolitan Region since 1992 and is one of twelve women’s health services across Victoria.
• The region covers ten local government areas: Bayside, Cardinia, Casey, Frankston, Glen Eira, Greater Dandenong, Kingston, Mornington Peninsula, Port Phillip and Stonnington, and around 1.56 million people.

WHISE Progress Report and Budget Acquittal 2025 to 2026

• Sixty partner organisations engaged in regional violence prevention work under the Promoting Respect and Equity Together (PRET) Partnership.
• Forty four primary prevention projects delivered by those partners.

Recruitment

• The Chief Executive Officer position is permanent and full time. Recruitment is being conducted by Searchlight Group.
• Contact: Michael Holdway, Managing Director, Searchlight Group. Mobile 0400 006 513. Direct (03) 9600 1137. michael@searchlightgroup.com.au
• Position details: https://searchlightgroup.com.au/jobs/chief-executive-officer-6/
• Applications close midnight, Sunday 27 September 2026.

Support is available from 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.