New CEO Announced by the Compassion Australia Board

Watch a special video announcement to see Compassion Australia Board Chair Isaac Moody introduce the incoming Compassion Australia CEO.

01 Jul, 2019

A word from Compassion Australia Board Chair Isaac Moody

It’s with thankfulness to the Lord that I can share with you that the Board has chosen the next CEO of Compassion Australia.

Her name is Clare Steele.

Like all of us, Clare is passionate about Compassion. She loves children. But most importantly, she loves the Lord and has followed His call into this role.

She will work with Tim in the coming months as part of our transition plan and will officially start as our new CEO in early 2020. It is my great pleasure to welcome Clare to Compassion Australia.

Isaac Moody
Compassion Australia Board Chair

Welcome to Compassion Australia’s Incoming CEO: Clare Steele

Incoming Compassion Australia CEO Clare Steele says she is looking forward to seeing God move in the lives of children, supporters and staff, as Compassion’s mission to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name continues.

From corporate beginnings as a consultant with Accenture and Macquarie Bank, Clare’s desire to serve God propelled her to study a Master of Divinity at the Sydney Missionary Bible College.

She followed God’s call into leadership and executive positions at various Christian ministries, most recently as Chief Operating Officer at Anglican Deaconess Ministries.

Then, in October 2018, Clare found herself in the middle of a life-changing experience of God in Cebu City, Philippines. She travelled with a group from her church, St Alban’s, Five Dock, to see local Filipino churches—in partnership with Compassion—reaching out to vulnerable children and their families with the love of Jesus and the practical support they needed to not just survive but thrive.

One sweltering afternoon, Clare looked around and realised that the impact of Compassion’s ministry in local churches and communities in Cebu was clearly visible. But the changes rippled wider than that. It was not only the lives of the children and families in Cebu that were changing. She saw similar growth in the group of Sydneysiders—and, she realised, in her own family.

“I saw that partnering with Compassion transformed churches in the Philippines. But I also saw that partnering with Compassion was transforming my own church, and my own heart,” says Clare.

“I saw my husband and my children growing in their love for God and in their compassion for those in poverty because of our church’s partnership with Compassion.”

When she heard that Compassion Australia were recruiting for a new leader to take the reins from CEO Tim Hanna, she sensed God’s call to apply.

Throughout a rigorous process, she and her husband, Matt, were struck by how deeply they felt God’s peace. Now, she’s looking forward to seeing more of what God will do, as she joins the mission to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name.

“I thrive in setting vision and leading teams, so I’m delighted that the Board have given me this opportunity as CEO to use my strengths and experience to showcase Compassion Australia’s amazing work,” says Clare.

Compassion Australia CEO Tim Hanna says the ministry is coming into an exciting new season as he prepares to support Clare in the transition.

“I have felt tremendous support from all the members of the Compassion family—supporters, donors, staff, church leaders and more—throughout more than 10 years as the CEO of Compassion Australia,” says Tim. “And I know that that support will continue for Clare as she steps into leadership here.”

Clare will begin as incoming CEO in November this year and will work closely with Tim in the following months. The transition from Tim to Clare will be completed in early 2020.

“I’m looking forward to developing new partnerships and enhancing the performance of the Compassion team even further,” says Clare. “Together, we can continue to release more and more children from poverty in Jesus’ name.”