YMCA Australia announces appointment of new National Chief Executive

The YMCA Australia (The Y) has announced the appointment of Tal Karp - lawyer, board director, management consultant, sports administrator, advocate, organisational strategist and former Matilda - as its new National Chief Executive.

Announcing the appointment, YMCA National President, Ben Hubbard advised that Tal is a “Y CEO for our times”, with a track record in standing up for the rights of children and young people, consensus building, advocacy and engagement skills, strong safety credentials, and her experience as a lawyer and an Olympian.

Hubbard noted “she not only brings great experience and skills, but she also knows us”, explaining that Karp has served on the Y Australia board for three years from 2018 to 2021, where she made a strong and lasting impression across the Y’s 14 member associations.

Karp’s appointment comes after an international recruitment process undertaken by People For Purpose following the resignation of Melinda Crole, after 17 years of service to the Y, including five as National Chief Executive.

Karp’s previous experience includes being an advocate for the rights of young people, especially in the criminal justice system, and building coalitions of support across organisations, sectors and disciplines for strategic solutions to complex legal and policy problems.

She is also a current Board member for the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, and Victoria Legal Aid, and a Change Our Game Ambassador for the Victorian Government.

Karp will start in her new position with the Y in February 2022, after finishing her role at Right Lane Consulting, a purpose driven B Corp consulting firm that ‘helps organisations that do good, do better’, where she has been a Senior Expert and the Head of Sports Practice and Innovation Practice.

Hubbard thanked People for Purpose for its support in the recruitment process, and members of the National Board’s Recruitment panel - Ross Peddlesden, Susannah LeBron and Rhegan Harvey - for the commitment and contribution to the process.

Ross Kyrwood will continue in the acting National Chief Executive role until Karp commences with Y Australia at the start of February.

Image: Tal Karp. Credit: The Y.