Managers Network

• Announcement from School for Social Entrepreneurs

  2 February, 2012

  After leading the team to establish the School for Social Entrepreneurs in Australia, Benny Callaghan has decided to step down as CEO.

  As Chair of the founding partners group of SSE, I would like to personally  congratulate and celebrate Benny for all he has achieved with SSE.

  From virtually a standing start, Benny has built a team, program, and organisation to serve social entrepreneurs.

  The spirit and culture of SSE is reflected in the talented team who work with drive and ambition to raise the profile of social entrepreneurship in Australia and the awe-inspiring student with whom SSE has the great privilege of working.

  Benny has also brought his considerable skills and energy to numerous collaborations and partnerships across the country. As a consequence, SSE's influence and impact has been significant in the wider social sector.

  In three short years SSE has been established in Sydney and Melbourne, and by March 2012 we will have commenced 10 programs with almost 200 social entrepreneurs participating. Amongst its graduates we have seen extraordinary growth and success. Most importantly, our students and graduates have been key builders of the school providing feedback and learning along the way. SSE was also awarded the inaugural Macquarie Australian Social Innovation Award in 2011 in recognition of the role it it playing in unearthing and supporting new social innovation.

  The growth of SSE has been remarkable for a start-up. This has largely been due to the strong and significant support of our foundation funders the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, the Ian Potter Foundation, the Westpac Foundation, The Trust Company, and the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. In addition, the establishment of SSE has been enabled by a small group of individuals and Social Ventures Australia.

  The future looks strong for SSE, which also presents its own challenges. We are currently experiencing strong demand for the program across Australia, and SSE will need to be innovative in order to meet that demand. Opportunities abound for new funders to support growth of this social entrepreneurship movement in Australia.

  We extend our deepest appreciation and thanks to Benny for his extraordinary contribution to SSE in Australia and wish him well in his future endeavours.

  Yours sincerely,

  
  Jan Owen AM
  Chair, Founding Partner Working Group
  School for Social Entrepreneurs Australia