The National Heart Foundation's Group CEO, Adjunct Professor John Kelly AM, has left the Heart Foundation.
Professor Kelly has led the Heart Foundation since 2016. The Chairman of the Board, Chris Leptos AM, said, "John has enormous drive and energy and has used that to help transform the organisation, including leading the unification of nine separate Heart Foundations into a single national organisation. This has assured a consistent approach to heart health across the nation.
"We would like to thank John for his contribution and wish him well in his future endeavours."
A Board sub-committee has been formed to conduct an executive recruitment search to find a leader who will best achieve the goals of the organisation's new three-year strategy.
Meanwhile, the Heart Foundation's Chief Medical Adviser, Professor Garry Jennings AO, will become interim CEO. Professor Jennings has been the organisation's Chief Medical Adviser since 2016, was a board member from 2002-2012, and was previously interim CEO for eight months in 2016.
The General Manager Finance, Peter Lynch, will become interim Chief Operating Officer while continuing to run the Finance team.
Mr Leptos said, "I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Heart Foundation staff for their professionalism and loyalty during a time of significant transition and strong external pressures.
"I would also like to assure our many valued medical researchers and donors that there will be no interruption to the Heart Foundation's life-saving work."
