Jenna Tuke appointed as next CEO of Switchboard Victoria
Image: Jenna Tuke
Statement from the Chair – Jenna Tuke appointed as next CEO of Switchboard Victoria
Switchboard’s Board of Directors are proud to announce the appointment of Jenna Tuke as Switchboard’s next Chief Executive Officer.
Jenna brings significant expertise in crisis service management, clinical leadership and front-line service delivery to Switchboard as CEO. With over 15 years of health and human service sector leadership experience, alongside significant clinical and service delivery expertise built through her 25 year career spent advocating for marginalised individuals within the sexual assault, family violence, victims of crime and mental health sectors, Jenna is ideally placed to lead Switchboard’s staff and volunteers through the implementation of the 2024-2028 Strategic Plan. Jenna’s experience in Switchboard’s key program areas of mental health and violence will afford her the ability to provide Switchboard with skilled service leadership and robust clinical and program governance oversight during a pivotal time in Switchboard’s growth and maturity. Jenna’s service delivery and leadership practice are informed by a principled intersectional feminist queer political framework. She believes that courage, collaboration and partnership can effect meaningful systemic change.
Jenna will be joining Switchboard after six years of executive leadership service at CASA House, the Centre for Sexual Assault located at The Royal Women’s Hospital. During her time as Manager of CASA House, Jenna led the development and implementation of the CASA House strategic planning and service development process. Jenna also led the design and implementation of recruitment and workforce programmes which facilitated recruitment of male and gender diverse staff for the first time in the history of CASA House and increased staff cultural diversity at CASA House and the Sexual Assault Crisis Line. Jenna is well known in the gendered violence sector for her advocacy in relation to inclusion of trans and gender diverse victim survivors of sexual assault. Jenna’s demonstrated commitment to anti-oppressive frameworks, and violence and trauma informed practice, position her well to lead safe and sustainable work practices for Switchboard’s staff and volunteers, who work in unique, challenging and ever-changing social, political and service delivery contexts. Jenna will strengthen Switchboard’s ability to provide vital connection, support and services to LGBTIQA+ communities.
Appointing Jenna as Switchboard’s next CEO is a huge moment in Switchboard’s history, following the departure of Switchboard’s inaugural CEO Joe Ball upon his appointment as the Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities. However, Jenna is no stranger to the work of Switchboard. Throughout the Marriage Law Postal Survey, Jenna supported Switchboard’s QLife volunteers as Clinical Supervisor, providing compassionate support, wisdom and courage to QLife volunteers and Switchboard staff during tumultuous times. Jenna was also integral in supporting Switchboard’s staff, volunteers and Board through the period of bereavement following Ingrid Zhang’s death by suicide in 2017. Finally, Jenna served Switchboard as a volunteer Board member from 2020-2024 – a period of significant growth and success for Switchboard – before stepping away from her role on the Board ahead of CEO recruitment.
Recruitment for Switchboard’s next CEO was competitive, and the Board considered numerous excellent candidates for this important appointment. The Board wish to acknowledge and thank SHK Asia Pacific for their executive recruitment expertise and services provided in support of Switchboard’s CEO recruitment. Engaging SHK Asia Pacific provided vital independence and rigour to this significant executive appointment, and the Board Chair wishes to thank Penny Wilson and SHK Asia Pacific for their contributions to this successful appointment.
The Board wish to recognise and extend heartfelt thanks to Switchboard’s staff and volunteers for their commitment to providing exceptional work in service of our LGBTIQA+ communities, during a period of significant change for our organisation. Switchboard’s programs and services are vital to the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ communities in Victoria and Australia, and the Board are exceptionally grateful to the staff and volunteers for their commitment to showing up in support of fellow LGBTIQA+ community members during this time.
The Chair would like to highlight the outstanding dedication of Interim CEO Blake Leschen, and thank him for his leadership and fierce commitment to supporting Switchboard’s staff, operations and Board during his tenure as Interim CEO. The work of Blake and the Switchboard leadership team during this transition has been exceptional and I thank Blake wholeheartedly for his leadership. The Chair would also like to acknowledge and thank inaugural CEO Joe Ball for his 7 years of service as Switchboard’s General Manager and CEO, where he worked tirelessly to grow Switchboard as a respected and trusted community-controlled organisation with innovative sector leading services and programs. Finally, the Chair would also like to express heartfelt thanks to the rest of the Board of Directors for their work in appointing Switchboard’s next CEO, noting in particular the significant contributions of Morgan Podesta, Ivy Keane, Mitchell Ajduk and Sean Badley throughout CEO recruitment.
Switchboard is in safe and experienced hands with the appointment of Jenna Tuke as Switchboard’s next CEO. Through her appointment as CEO, Jenna will carry the history of our organisation forward into Switchboard’s next chapter, providing principled and thoughtful leadership, continuing Switchboard’s legacy of service with heart, and honouring those who have contributed to Switchboard’s story.
Jenna will commence as CEO of Switchboard Victoria on Tuesday 21 January, 2025.
Amelia Arnold
Chair, Board of Directors
Switchboard Victoria
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Quotes attributable to incoming Switchboard CEO Jenna Tuke:
“I am absolutely thrilled by the opportunity to lead this wonderful LGBTQIA+ organisation. Switchboard was seeded in 1991 by deeply committed volunteer community activists who wanted to connect and support the LGBTIQA+ communities of Victoria. Under the leadership of former CEO Joe Ball, Switchboard has grown to a large and flourishing organisation with its roots still firmly embedded in community and volunteerism. I thank the Board for the trust placed in me and look forward to leading the staff and volunteers though Switchboard’s next stage of life”.
“The work of cultural, social and political change is an ongoing journey which demands research, strategy, courage, active engagement with stakeholders, fierce advocacy and opportunities to celebrate the gains.”
“Working alongside LGBTQIA+ communities to address stigma and violence and promote justice, equity and respect requires ongoing advocacy and the application of a social model of health framework to influence the levers of social, cultural and political change.”
“I look forward to meeting staff, volunteers, community members and government and service partners – and getting on with the work of addressing stigma and discrimination and promoting access to support, care and rights for LGBTQIA+ people”.
Quotes attributable to Switchboard Board Chair Amelia Arnold:
“I am delighted to appoint Jenna as Switchboard’s next CEO. Jenna’s clinical and service delivery leadership expertise and nuanced understanding of societal and structural violence experienced by LGBTIQA+ communities will be an asset to Switchboard’s executive leadership.”
“Jenna’s demonstrated commitment to anti-oppressive frameworks, and violence and trauma informed practice, position her well to lead safe and sustainable work practices for Switchboard’s staff and volunteers, who work in unique, challenging and ever-changing social, political and service delivery contexts. Jenna will strengthen Switchboard’s ability to provide vital connection, support and services to LGBTIQA+ communities.”
“As a long-term Switchboard volunteer, I am also comforted in the knowledge that Jenna will carry vital parts of Switchboard’s history and collective experience forward through her appointment, continuing Switchboard’s legacy of service with heart and honouring those who have contributed to Switchboard’s story.”
Quotes attributable to Switchboard Interim CEO Blake Leschen:
“It is with great excitement and pleasure that I welcome Jenna to Switchboard as our second ever CEO, a significant milestone for the organisation. Jenna’s skills, experience and leadership will not only strengthen Switchboard’s programs and service services but also ensure we continue to provide safe, sustainable, and impactful support for LGBTIQA+ communities during this pivotal time. We are thrilled to have her join us and look forward to the incredible contributions she will bring to our team and our purpose."
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Media Contact:
For media enquiries, please contact Interim CEO Blake Leschen at blake.leschen@switchboard.org.au. Jenna Tuke will be available for comment and interview from Tuesday 21 January, 2025.