CEO Jane Edge’s 10-year “Movement of the Heart”
Stories | December 4, 2022
CBM Australia warmly congratulates our leader, Chief Executive Officer, Jane Edge, on her 10-year anniversary.
Coincidentally, Jane shares this milestone with one of the most important days in our calendar – International Day of People with Disabilities, a day that aims to raise awareness and promote action around the rights of people with disabilities and their full inclusion in society, something Jane embodies in all of her work at CBM Australia.
Jane has always been drawn to hearing and amplifying the important stories of people and their communities. An early stint in media and communications was the starting point of a career committed to social justice and service.
Motivated by her dedication to social justice, Jane is passionate about addressing extreme poverty and disadvantage. This led her to the international development sector where she became the CEO of a leading Australian INGO at the age of 27. She went on to lead their operations in Asia, supporting country teams from Timor-Leste to Afghanistan.
On December 3, 2012, Jane joined CBM Australia as its Chief Operating Officer. Less than three years later, she was appointed to the role of CEO. Jane often speaks of her epiphany on joining CBM; that after decades in international development where she’d seen many strong programs on the ground, she realised that those most marginalised and vulnerable – people with disabilities – were consistently being left behind.
Under Jane’s leadership, CBM scaled its Inclusion Advisory Group (IAG), which launched in Australia with only a few partners and advisors. Now, IAG works to advise other global organisations including DFAT, World Food Programme and the United Nations, in disability-inclusive development.
CBM Australia builds on a 114-year history and Christian foundations, while further advancing disability inclusion through IAG, a stronger localisation agenda and a commitment to working alongside, and being accountable to, the Disability Movement.
A for-purpose leader, Jane’s commitment to social justice and unlocking the potential of people and organisations has seen her navigate a challenging context with clarity and heart. Jane has built strong relationships in the development sector including key partners across the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and Pacific Disability Forum as well as inspiring and aligning our various supporters through effective strategy and allyship with people with disabilities.
In a recent article published in Pro Bono Australia, Jane reflected on her 10 years at CBM Australia:
“I am proud to say that I lead an organisation that has catalytic, collaborative, and innovative approaches, which see millions of lives transformed each year in a growing movement to end the cycle of poverty and disability. It is truly a movement of the heart.”
Congratulations, Jane. Your passion and servant leadership are an inspiration to your team and to your peers.
In addition to her role as CEO, Jane currently serves on the boards of Mercy Health and ACFID where she is the Vice Chair – Finance.
https://www.cbm.org.au/stories/ceo-jane-edge-10-year-work-anniversary
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