Lisa Ward

Lisa Ward is an accomplished executive currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ).12 She assumed this role on November 18, 2021, making history as the first woman to lead ECCQ and the multicultural sector's peak body in Queensland.1

Professional Background

Prior to joining ECCQ, Lisa Ward held several significant positions:

• Director of Social Services at Access Community Services
• Senior national and state roles with the Australian Government, focusing on multicultural affairs, settlement, and refugee and humanitarian policy
• Deputy State Director for the former Department of Immigration and Citizenship for Queensland and the Northern Territory1

Leadership and Expertise

Lisa Ward is known for her:

• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Extensive experience in demanding and challenging roles
• Passion for multiculturalism and supporting culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities
• Strategic thinking, innovative approach, and business development acumen12

Vision and Priorities

As CEO of ECCQ, Lisa Ward has outlined several key focus areas:

• Providing independent and evidence-informed policy advice to government, the sector, and the broader community
• Advocating for the needs, interests, and contributions of multicultural communities across Queensland
• Strengthening ECCQ's role as the peak body for multicultural communities in Queensland
• Promoting social cohesion and empowering diverse communities134

Lisa Ward's appointment was welcomed by ECCQ leadership, who praised her commitment to CALD communities and her ability to drive the organization towards achieving its vision of representing the voices of multicultural communities effectively.1