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Our CEO

Our CEO


Sandie de Wolf AM
Chief Executive Officer



Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Diploma of Social Studies, Master of Social Work, Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, Fellow Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Sandie’s career in the child and family welfare field commenced in the early 1970’s with the Department of Human Services, where she worked as a case worker and then in senior positions in management and policy development, both in regions and Head Office. Since 1989, Sandie has worked in the community sector, in both policy and management roles.

Sandie was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Berry Street 1994 when it merged with Sutherland Homes for Children and lead the successful amalgamation and expansion of Berry Street into new regional and practice areas. Berry Street is now the largest independent child and family welfare organisation in Victoria, providing services across the State, employing over 750 staff and with an annual turnover of over $60 million.

In all her roles, Sandie has always demonstrated a strong commitment to working collaboratively and a passion for improving life opportunities and choices for vulnerable children, young people and families.

Sandie has been recognised for her leadership and commitment with:- being inducted into the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll (2011); an award of Member (AM) through the Order of Australia (2009); the Robin Clark Memorial Award for Inspirational Leadership (2008); accreditation as a partnership broker through the Partnership Brokers Accreditation Scheme (2006); the Vida Goldstein Award for Women in the Professions – Welfare (2004); a Harvard Club of Australia Fellowship to attend Harvard Business School in the USA to undertake the Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management course (2004); and Life Membership of The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare (2001).

Sandie is involved in a number of sector, state and national bodies including: Sector Leadership Group (Member); DHS/VCOSS Human Services Partnership Implementation Committee (Member); the Victorian Child Death Review Committee (Member); the Victorian Government’s Children’s Council (Deputy Chair); National Framework Implementation Working Group; and the Child and Family Welfare Association of Australia (Secretary). She is also on the Board of the Australian Communities Foundation and has recently joined the Board of Family Relationship Services Australia.

Previously, Sandie chaired Families Australia (a national body set up to advise the Federal Government on family policy) since its inception in 2001 until November 2010; was President of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare in 1997/98, Vice President in 1994/95 and 1999, and a Board member for the maximum 9 years. She also Chaired the IFCO Conference in 1999, CAFWAA in 2000/2001 (Board member from 1997 - ongoing) and Greatconnections in 2010/11.