Shape a global movement as Chair of Childhood Dementia Initiative
- Guide a high-impact organisation through its next phase of growth.
- Bring credibility, influence, and an outward-facing governance lens.
- Work alongside a driven, senior team delivering outsized impact.
The organisation
Childhood Dementia Initiative (CDI) is a fast-growing, globally significant organisation transforming how the world understands and responds to childhood dementia. Established in 2020, CDI has rapidly built a world-first evidence base, secured unprecedented bipartisan government support, and co-designed nationally significant system reforms across health, disability and care.
Every three days in Australia, a baby is born with a childhood dementia disorder. Despite comparable mortality to childhood cancer, these conditions remain largely unrecognised, under-funded and poorly coordinated. CDI exists to change this reality — not by duplicating services, but by reshaping the systems that determine research, care, policy and investment.
Australia is now widely recognised as a global leader in this space, and CDI is increasingly considered the reference point internationally. With momentum building across government, philanthropy and global health systems, CDI is entering a pivotal new phase.
The role
CDI is seeking an experienced, high-calibre Chair to lead the Board through its next stage of growth and influence. This is a rare opportunity to help shape an emerging global field from Australia — providing governance leadership, credibility and external reach to an organisation already delivering significant impact.
Working closely with the CEO, the Chair will help evolve CDI’s governance to match its ambition. This includes strengthening strategic focus, supporting thoughtful board renewal over time, and amplifying CDI’s presence with senior decision-makers nationally and internationally.
This is an engaged Chair role; CDI is seeking a respected leader who brings gravitas, wisdom and networks — and who is willing to actively advocate, open doors and stand alongside a highly capable executive team.
The successful candidate will bring prior experience as a Chair (or equivalent senior board leadership), strong governance credentials, and an empowering leadership style. They will be comfortable operating in fast-moving, complex environments, and aligned with CDI’s culture of pace and innovation.
While lived experience of childhood dementia is not required, alignment with CDI’s purpose — and belief in the scale and importance of the opportunity — is essential. Backgrounds spanning health, philanthropy, public policy, corporate leadership or global systems change are all of interest.
To apply
People for Purpose is partnering with the Childhood Dementia Initiative to lead the search for this role.
- We invite you to read the Board Pack (https://shorturl.at/ymKjX). To review the Childhood Dementia Initiative’s annual reports and financial statements, please visit their website and ACNC profile.
- Once you have absorbed this information and completed your own research, if you have specific questions, please call us on 0468 625 252 or email [email protected]
- Your application will include your CV, as well as a cover letter outlining how your skills and experience align to this opportunity and why you are interested in joining the Childhood Dementia Initiative. A considered cover letter will be an important part of your application.
Applications close at 4:15pm on Sunday, 15 February.