A warm welcome to our new CEO

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June 16, 2022
Incoming CEO of the Haymarket Foundation

The Haymarket Foundation is pleased to announce Gowan Vyse as the incoming CEO.

Gowan has a wealth of experience in community development and in the public service, most recently as Manager, Social Policy and Programs at the City of Sydney, where she oversaw programs supporting people experiencing homelessness, refugees, asylum seekers, international students, LGBTIQ communities, First Nations people and people with a disability.

“I’ve always had a particular interest in people experiencing homelessness,” she says. “When I started my career working with refugees and asylum seekers in Fairfield I noticed how often people who had trauma and disability end up on the streets.”

Through later roles with the NSW Trustee and Guardian, the State Parole Authority and what was the NSW Department of Ageing Disability and Home Care, she developed a particular interest in people with disability and/or mental health issues who have contact with the criminal justice system.

“People with complex needs often cycle in and out of prison – and homelessness,” she observes. “Often systems fail the individual.”

A connection with the Haymarket Foundation:

A large proportion of residents at the Haymarket Foundation have a history of incarceration, along with mental health, drug and alcohol issues, disability and trauma.

“The Haymarket Foundation has a great reputation for working with people that other services are just not able to – and that really appealed to me,” she says.

The Chair of the Haymarket Foundation, The Hon. Kevin Rozzoli AM, says Gowan will lead the organization at a critical time.

“We warmly welcome Gowan to the organization, as we head towards our 50th anniversary (in 2024),” he says. “Gowan has a deep understanding of the complexity of homelessness and a commitment to making real change for individuals and at a systems level.”

Ahead of taking up the role, Gowan made visits to the Haymarket Foundation’s crisis accommodation service in Chippendale and had meetings with key stakeholders.

“I’m excited to be working with the people that use our services, the dedicated team and board and our partners to develop solutions that ensure everyone is supported to have a home and connection to community.”

Media contact: Susi Hamilton, Philanthropy and Communication Manager, 0466 366 900