Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Ali Wastie as the City of Greater Geelong's new Chief Executive Officer.
Ms Wastie brings a wealth of experience in local government and the Victorian Public Service, having worked across the sectors since 2004.
She has held a number of senior executive positions, including serving as CEO of the Bass Coast Shire Council for the past four-and-a-half years.
Ms Wastie chairs the Alpine Resorts Victoria board, and has previous leadership experience as a director at the City of Melbourne and Yarra Ranges Council.
After finishing her role with Bass Coast Shire Council, Ms Wastie will join the City on 28 August.
Mayor Trent Sullivan said Ms Wastie's expertise would be invaluable to the organisation, and the wider Greater Geelong community.
We are delighted to welcome Ali to the City of Greater Geelong. Ali's extensive local government experience, her strong leadership skills and passion for developing high performing teams, means she is ideally placed to lead the City through this challenging but exciting period. Ali also has strong credentials in education, health and tourism, which are sectors that are crucial to the continued development of the region.
Ms Wastie said she was excited to be joining the City and was looking forward to working with councillors and employees to deliver high-quality services to the community.
I am feeling very privileged to be appointed as CEO for the City of Greater Geelong and I am looking forward to commencing in the role on 28 August. Delivering on the community's vision and Council's plans and objectives in a period of growth, change and opportunity will be my focus. I have longstanding connections to Geelong, with family and friends living in the region. I am passionate about building and sustaining positive, can-do organisational cultures that are inclusive and welcoming.
Mayor Sullivan praised acting CEO Kaarina Phyland for leading the City since September 2022.
Throughout this time, she has provided strong leadership, guided the City through the recent organisation changes, worked positively with municipal monitors and navigated the challenging 2023-2024 Budget cycle.
Kaarina has overseen a period that has transformed the City into a more efficient and high-performing organisation. Under her leadership we have made progress on delivering the community's Clever and Creative vision and the Council is thankful for Kaarina's valuable contribution.
Mayor Sullivan also thanked municipal monitors Prue Digby and Peter Dorling for their assistance in the CEO recruitment process.
