Karen Woolford
Spotswood,VIC
Summary
Highly motivated and compassionate leader with a proven track record of making positive impact in the not-for-profit sector. Possessing a deep understanding of social issues and a genuine passion for driving change, I have always been committed to empowering individuals and communities and contributing to sustainable solutions to address societal challenges. With over 25 years' experience, predominantly within the health and not for profit sector, I bring a range of experience in diverse leadership roles. These roles have always been underpinned by the strong relationships built with both internal and external stakeholders. With a strong ethical foundation and a collaborative approach, I am dedicated to driving meaningful outcomes and fostering a culture of empathy and innovation.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
HEAD OF OPERATIONS
Western Region Center Against Sexual Assault
08.2022 - Current
- Responsible for the clinical operations of therapeutic trauma counselling services both in the community and within correctional facilities environment, covering 5 local government areas
- Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.. leading to the the creation of two significant partnerships with key organisations that provided additional revenue source.
- Developed and implemented a prevention and education arm to WestCASA operations to align with strategic vision of working toward a community where individuals free from sexual and family violence.
ACTING CEO
Western Region Center Against Sexual Assault
12.2022 - 04.2023
- Worked collaboratively with the WestCASA Board, and progressed the development of the new strategic plan
- Managed partnerships and strategic sector relationships, and ensured the organisation met funding requirements.
- Cultivated forward-thinking, inclusive, and performance-oriented organisational culture to ensure high level service delivery to clients.
- Monitored and managed key organisational risks.
- Prioritised staff wellbeing and ensured timely decision making and resolution of disputes or interpersonal conflict.
HUMAN RESOURCE AND CORPORATE SERVICE MANAGER
Western Region Center Against Sexual Assault
07.2021 - 08.2022
- Worked in partnership with the CEO to implement an organisational restructure and change management process.
- Collaborated in team-based environment across different functional groups.
- Thought strategically to support key organisational decisions pertaining to workforce management.
- Facilitated and supported professionally development for all staff.
- Hired, trained and supervised team of experienced counsellor advocates and team leaders to meet service level targets.
- Monitored service staff performance and provided feedback for improvement.
- Enterprise Agreement interpretation and renegotiation
INDEPENDENT HR CONSULTANT
07.2016 - 01.2021
- Assisted and guided clients predominantly in the the not for profit sector on HR procedures and program development by devising performance evaluations, job descriptions and industry-standard salary ranges.
- Partnered with leaders on HR and business functions using consultative approach to proactively identify and address issues and concerns.
- Provided human resources, recruiting and resource allocation guidance in commercial consulting environment.
- Evaluated employee onboarding programs and presented strategic improvement recommendations to upper management.
- Manged industrial relations processes with a best practice and risk mitigation approach for the organisation.
- Coached leaders and managers to ensure well functioning teams.
HUMAN RESOURCE BUSINESS PARTNER
Australian Red Cross (National Office)
08.2012 - 09.2014
- Provided HR business support for the Migration Support Service National team working with refugees within Immigration Detention Centres and assisting with visa's and settlement.
- Conducted exit interviews with employees leaving company to gauge areas of success and opportunities for improvement.
- Advised senior management on organizational development and change management initiatives.
- Identified HR training needs and conducted training for employees and leadership while recommending approaches to effect continual improvements in business objectives, productivity, and within company to reach business goals.
- Managed full cycle of recruiting, hiring, and onboarding new employees.
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER
Victorian Council of Social Service
07.2010 - 08.2012
- Maintained human resources regulatory compliance with local, state, and federal laws, in addition to established organisational governance requirements.
- Provided end to end recruitment and onboarding of new staff.
- Negotiated and reviewed the organisations enterprise bargaining agreement.
- Motivated employees through special events, incentive programs, and constructive feedback.
- Coordinated employee grievances and disputes in timely and professional manner by finding constructive solutions.
- Worked with managers to achieve compliance with organisational policies, providing clarifying information and recommending necessary changes.
- Facilitated successful policy implementation and adherence to maintain legal and operational compliance.
NURSE ON CALL
03.2009 - 07.2010
- Performed of the phone triage and assessment of incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and treatment options for patients
GROUP HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER
Reactive Media
06.2008 - 02.2009
- Provided executive level human resource management and leadership for this digital design agency with studios in Australia, New Zealand, London and New York.
ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
07.2006 - 04.2008
- Provided HR and Organisation Development services for a multi site and multi function organisation with a large volunteer workforce and staff working under 6 different Awards.
HUMAN RESOURCE CONSULTANT
National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
11.2005 - 07.2006
ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
SA Ambulance Service
01.2001 - 12.2004
- Managed the Equity and Diversity portfolio for the SA Ambulance Service.
- Worked collaboratively with other Department of Justice stakeholders to build a sector wide approach in this area.
- Provided statewide program development and training to all staff and volunteers.
INTENSIVE CARE PARAMEDIC
South Australian Ambulance Service
07.1997 - 01.2004
- Delivered advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), basic life support (BLS), and paediatric advanced life support (PALS) under pressure.
- Adapted treatment plans quickly and effectively based on changing patient conditions and reactions.
- Delegated life-saving tasks to provide comprehensive treatment to triaged patients in emergency situations.
- Maintained patient care, treatment and medication documentation for accurate, up-to-date clinical records.
REGISTERED NURSE - EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, South Australia
03.1994 - 06.1997
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Communicated openly and collaboratively with all healthcare staff to organize successful patient care.
- Teamed on trauma and emergency interventions.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
Education
Social Impact Leadership Program -
Leadership Victoria/SASVic/Safe And Equal
11.2023
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment TAA40104 -
RMIT University
Melbourne, VIC05.2006
Uni. S.A Post Graduate Diploma in Conflict Management -
University of South Australia
01.2002
Critical Incident Stress Management Accreditation -
Critical Incident Stress Management Foundation
Melbourne, VIC01.2000
Adv. Diploma Ambulance Studies S.A.A.S -
Flinders University
Adelaide, SA02.1999
Bachelor of Nursing University of S.A. -
University of South Australia
Adelaide, SA12.1993
Skills
- I have an excellent understanding our sector and of our overarching approach to care at every level of client entry I endorse and support the need to provide evidenced informed, person-centred care that is safe, high-quality therapeutic counselling that provides a respectful, responsive approach that works with where the person is at and promotes the fact that clients are equal partners in planning, developing, and monitoring care to ensure it meets their needs gram which provided rich opportunities for growth and development, and a more in-depth knowledge of the outward facing aspect of engaging and advocating in our sector this role must undertake A feminist understanding of sexual and family violence and a recognition of the interconnections between all forms of sexual violence that often go hand in hand with family/intimate partner violence
- My approach to leadership aligns with the approach we have to client care There is a trauma informed emphasis on building trust and empowering the resilience of our team, and the organisation more broadly I have worked actively to support the restructures of organisations and to work through many of the challenging staffing situations that can arise when change occurs, whilst also mitigating risk to the clients, our reputation and service provision
- Accredited Mediator in Problem Based and Narrative models of Mediation
- Revenue Generation
- Administrative Management
- Performance Improvement
- Resource Allocation
- Program Administration
- Financial Oversight
- Employee Development
- Contract Administration
- Effective Leader
- Relationship Building
- Process Improvements
- Staff Development
- Recruitment
- Staff Training/Development
- Employee Relations
Other areas of strength:
Affiliations
- Australian Human Resource Institute
- Australian Dispute Resolution Association
- Registered with Victorian Nurses Board
Governance And Strategy
I am very keen to work with the Board to start the beginning phase of the implementation and operationalisation of the new Strategic Plan in preparation for the new CEO. The Leadership team is enthusiastically looking forward to having clear objectives for the future and to being able to excite and engage staff in the vision for the next few years.
A B N
28107421481
Phone - Personal
0418 826063
karenlwoolford@gmail.com
Operational Management
During my time at WestCASA I have demonstrated an excellent understanding of our overarching approach to care, and the need to provide evidenced informed, person-centred care that is safe, high-quality healthcare that provides a respectful, responsive approach that works with where the person is at and promotes the fact that clients are equal partners in planning, developing, and monitoring care to ensure it meets their needs.
I have a deep knowledge and understanding of all aspects of WestCASA's operations, and I can provide background and information to what is a relatively new workforce. In particular the Executive and Leadership team, which I have been able to support them with to aid a smooth assimilation into their roles.
I successfully manage, and exceed the targets for the funding agreements that financially enable the work we do, supported by the excellent relationships I have with the Funding Managers at the Department of Department of Family, Fairness and Housing and Department of Justice and Community Safety. I have created strong partnerships and pilot initiatives with Victoria University that have started to produce an income stream and has also created an alliance for future research and development partnerships.
Timeline
ACTING CEO
Western Region Center Against Sexual Assault
12.2022 - 04.2023
HEAD OF OPERATIONS
Western Region Center Against Sexual Assault
08.2022 - Current
HUMAN RESOURCE AND CORPORATE SERVICE MANAGER
Western Region Center Against Sexual Assault
07.2021 - 08.2022
INDEPENDENT HR CONSULTANT
07.2016 - 01.2021
HUMAN RESOURCE BUSINESS PARTNER
Australian Red Cross (National Office)
08.2012 - 09.2014
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER
Victorian Council of Social Service
07.2010 - 08.2012
NURSE ON CALL
03.2009 - 07.2010
GROUP HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER
Reactive Media
06.2008 - 02.2009
ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
07.2006 - 04.2008
HUMAN RESOURCE CONSULTANT
National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
11.2005 - 07.2006
ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
SA Ambulance Service
01.2001 - 12.2004
INTENSIVE CARE PARAMEDIC
South Australian Ambulance Service
07.1997 - 01.2004
REGISTERED NURSE - EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, South Australia
03.1994 - 06.1997
Social Impact Leadership Program -
Leadership Victoria/SASVic/Safe And Equal
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment TAA40104 -
RMIT University
Uni. S.A Post Graduate Diploma in Conflict Management -
University of South Australia
Critical Incident Stress Management Accreditation -
Critical Incident Stress Management Foundation
Adv. Diploma Ambulance Studies S.A.A.S -
Flinders University
Bachelor of Nursing University of S.A. -
University of South Australia
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