NEW CEO for Volunteer Service Abroad

NEW CEO for Volunteer Service Abroad

It is with great pleasure that I announce the new CEO of Volunteer Service Abroad. Stephen Goodman MNZM will assume this role on September 4. Stephen has had a 33-year career with the New Zealand Defence Force, with extensive experience in Operational, Business and Governance leadership roles across several branches of the NZDF.

Most recently, Stephen was Programme Manager Estate Transformation for the NZDF’s $4.5B estate portfolio, following time as Chief of Staff (General Manager - Corporate) with Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand.

His diplomatic experience includes time as the Defence Attaché to the New Zealand High Commission in Singapore from 2008-2010, deployment in Timor-Leste and as Senior National Officer and Contingent Commander for Operation Rata, NZDF’s contribution to RAMSI in Solomon Islands, in 2004. Stephen holds a Master of Arts (Strategic Studies) from Deakin University and a Masters in Philosophy (Defence and Strategic Studies) from Massey University. The focus of his study was on the Asia-Pacific region with formal research visits conducted to China, Indonesia, and Japan; plus the production of a series of theses on South Pacific security, societal, economic and climate change issues. He is a Fellow of the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies (Canberra, Australia).

Stephen says, "I feel privileged to be at VSA - the Pacific and its people are so important to the region and New Zealand. The opportunity to be part of their ongoing development really excites me.

"I’m impressed by VSA and it’s an organisation I’m looking forward to taking further." We are delighted that Stephen is joining VSA. He brings considerable international, strategic and operational leadership experience, a focus on bringing teams together and getting the best from their collective efforts. This, together with his strong interest and experience in the Pacific, will ensure that VSA will continue its great work.

Evan Mayson
VSA Council Chair
ENDS

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