Glaucoma Australia’s board has announced the appointment of Mr Richard Wylie as the organisation’s new CEO.
Wylie, who commenced in the role on 4 July, replaces outgoing CEO Ms Annie Gibbins, who has left the organisation after four and a half years.
In a statement announcing Gibbins’ successor, Glaucoma Australia (GA) said Wylie is an experienced senior executive leader who is passionate about the ‘for purpose’ sector.
“He brings significant experience and a passion for driving positive health outcomes for Australians. He is committed to leading the organisation in improving the lives of people with glaucoma and those at risk of the disease,” the organisation said.
Wylie has worked at a number of leading Sydney-based advertising agencies, including Lintas and Mojo. At the age of 28, he and his partners founded Ursa Communications, an advertising agency that specialised in health communications.
Ursa’s blue-chip clients included the Australian government, Pfizer, Roche, GlaxoSmith Kline, Eli Lilly, MLA, Red Cross, and Vision Australia.
Following the sale of Ursa to Clemenger Group in 2012, Wylie decided to shift his focus from ‘for profit’ to ‘for purpose’.
As director of fundraising and brand at the Heart Research Institute, and CEO of the Liver Foundation, Wylie has been passionate about bringing creative thinking to modern health challenges.
As a board member at the Wayside Chapel, he was instrumental in driving new funding streams to extend support to a wider range of people needing assistance.
“I am looking forward to new challenges with Glaucoma Australia which is well positioned to focus on growth initiatives to advance its mission of ending glaucoma blindness for all Australians,” Wylie said.
Wylie is expected to be a driving force in leading the organisation’s growth, after Gibbins leadership helped reform and modernise the organisation, overseeing a dramatic rise in referrals and a crucial integration with Oculo platform.
She is credited with helping GA drive greater risk awareness and improve treatment adherence, as well as helping raise the profile of the organisation with Governor-General Mr David Hurley becoming its patron, and INXS band member Mr Kirk Pengilly and Sunrise co-host Mr David Koch as ambassadors.
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