SACOSS appoints new Chief Executive Officer   

The South Australian Council of Social Service Board has appointed Dr Catherine Earl to the position of Chief Executive Officer.

Dr Earl begins in the role of CEO on Monday, 28 July and joins SACOSS from the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education where she is the Policy and Research Director. She brings to the role considerable expertise and experience in the community and social services, political and advocacy sectors.

She succeeds outgoing CEO Ross Womersley, whose last day will be Friday 1 August after more than 15 years in the role.

Dr Catherine Earl biographical information

Dr Catherine Earl is a seasoned policy and advocacy leader with over 15 years’ experience in government relations, campaign strategy, and social policy reform.

She will join SACOSS having left her most recent position as Director of Policy and Research at the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE). There she led national advocacy efforts, securing major wins including a National Cabinet commitment to review liquor laws related to domestic violence in all state jurisdictions.

As Chief of Staff to a SA Senator, Dr Earl led legislative strategy and helped deliver key reforms, such as expanded paid parental leave and the right to disconnect. Previously, as Director of Policy and Advocacy at SACOSS, she built influential coalitions and secured funding for health and social justice initiatives.

She holds a PhD in Social Science from the University of South Australia, a Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) from Flinders University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Labour Studies from the University of Adelaide. More recently she has engaged in leadership opportunities including the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course (2025), McKinsey Leadership Program (2021), and Progress Australia Fellowship (2020).

With a foundation in social work, research, and executive leadership, Dr Earl brings a deep commitment to equity, evidence-based policy, and collaborative change.

Quotes attributable to Nicole Chaplin, SACOSS Chair

On behalf of the SACOSS Board, I’m delighted to welcome Catherine as our new CEO.

We were fortunate to receive many high-quality applications from both South Australian and interstate candidates for this pivotal position. As part of the recruitment process, we were also fortunate to receive a broad cross-section of constructive feedback from SACOSS staff, members and the broader community about the professional and personal attributes they thought a successful candidate should bring to the role.

Catherine met and exceeded so many of the criteria the Board felt the incoming CEO required in order to continue leading SACOSS in its work to eliminate poverty, inequality and injustice. Through her time as SACOSS’s Director of Policy and Advocacy, she brings a vast knowledge of SACOSS’s operations and the environment it operates in.

More recently, her work in Federal politics and with a major national policy organisation have seen her develop additional skills and experience. Just as importantly, she is a kind, compassionate and well-spoken advocate for improving the lives South Australia’s most disadvantaged people.

I also thank outgoing CEO Ross Womersley for his contribution to SACOSS, the community services sector and the broader South Australian community. He will leave a legacy of more than 15 years of dedicated commitment to SACOSS, and the people and organisations it represents – but more than that, he leaves a legacy of never wavering in this commitment, even when easier or less confrontational paths were available.

Thousands of South Australians have had their lives improved through the work of SACOSS during Ross’s tenure, a contribution which cannot be overstated. We thank him for all that he has done and wish him well in his post-SACOSS activities.

Quotes attributable to Catherine Earl, incoming SACOSS CEO

I’m thrilled to be returning to SACOSS and honoured to take up the position of CEO. SACOSS is an institution I hold in high regard, and I look forward to working closely with the board and staff to continue our strong advocacy for fairer and more inclusive social systems across South Australia.

The community services sector plays a vital role in building a just society. I’m committed to collaborating with members and other key stakeholders to champion social justice in our state and to work towards our vision where every South Australian has access to what they need to thrive.