Sports Environment Alliance announces new Chief Executive

The Board of Sports Environment Alliance (SEA) has announced the appointment of Jan Fitzgerald as its new Chief Executive commencing on 20th February 2023.

SEA Chair Margot Foster said the Board is delighted that Fitzgerald accepted the offer to join the organisation following the departure, for family and personal reasons, of the organisation’s previous Chief Executive, Katherine O’Regan.

Foster noted “the SEA Board and team are looking forward to working with Jan to lead the sport and environmental movement in Australia and New Zealand, specifically through supporting the needs of our highly-engaged, and action-orientated member community.”

Fitzgerald brings to SEA a wealth of executive leadership experience from both the corporate and not-for-profit worlds, as well as a successful history of working across all areas of sustainability.

Her most recent role was a member of the executive team at Salvos Stores, a national retailer leading in the circular economy. Jan has led programs and developed sustainability and climate change strategies in many organisations, in partnership with stakeholders and employees.

An experienced Non-Executive Director, a graduate of the AICD, and a CPA, Fitzgerald’s passion is to work with organisations and in industries where she can make a difference.

Commenting on her new role she stated “I am delighted to be joining SEA at this exciting time in our journey.

“There’s an increasing awareness by the community of the need to take action to reduce environmental impacts, and our SEA members, who by their nature are at the heart of their communities, are at the forefront of that change. I look forward to working with our members, partners, and the broader sporting community to achieve even more positive environmental outcomes in the years ahead.”

Fitzgerald’s experience of shaping and embedding ESG strategies (including carbon/greenhouse management) for many large national and international organisations, leaves SEA in a strong position from which to expand its reach, and effect change at the intersection of sport and climate change.

The SEA Board thanked O’Regan, who has been in the role for the past eight months, for the excellent work she did with SEA as it continues to grow and expand its reach and influence.

SEA has also announced that its 2023 Summit will return to the MCG on 4th May 2023.

Click here for more information on the 2023 SEA Summit in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.