Congratulations to Arminé Nalbandian on her appointment to the position of CEO at the Centre for Social Impact.
Arminé is a public policy leader who has spent her career advising governments and for-purpose organisations on social policy and economic development strategies. Most recently, she was Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Policy to the New South Wales Premier.
CSI’s Chair, Professor Peter Shergold, has welcomed the appointment of Arminé, outlining how she will lead the organisation with innovation and integrity – and bring her international lens to key domestic issues:
“Arminé is an inspiring choice for CEO of CSI based on her deep knowledge of public policy, her strong desire to promote social impact in a non-partisan way, and the international regard in which she is held when it comes to agenda-setting in the social impact space.”
Arminé is a US Fulbright Scholar and has worked with governments and for-purpose organisations advising on social policy and economic development strategies, including the National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council and US state governments.
Arminé graduated summa cum laude as a Presidential Scholar from Northeastern University in Boston. She also holds a Master of Science in International Development from the London School of Economics as a Luys Scholar, and a Master of Commerce in Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the University of Sydney as a Business Leaders Scholar.
Arminé will commence in her role with CSI in early May 2022.
Purpose. Rigour. Humanity. Connectedness
WHY CSI MATTERS
The Centre for Social Impact (CSI) has built a reputation and capabilities in creating knowledge and influencing outcomes, collaborating broadly to catalyse social change.
CSI is a collaboration of UNSW Australia, Swinburne University of Technology and University of Western Australia and has a national remit. The Centre was established in 2008 with Commonwealth Government endowment funding, matched by financial support from major donors, and corporate Australia (Macquarie Group Foundation, AMP, PwC Australia, and NAB).
The Centre’s research is on four connected areas: specific social issues, the sector as a whole, connecting the sector, and measuring its progress. Current social impact areas include disability, housing, data and digital, regional development, social economy, financial inclusion, health, children & young people, ageing, social enterprise, and education and employment.
The CEO Appointment
The CEO acts as the highly visible spokesperson and head of CSI, and can engage in the boardrooms of ASX companies, and as easily with a group of academics, about the value, relevance and future of social impact, framed appropriately for each context.
The CEO is appointed to UNSW. The position belongs to the UNSW Business School and also reports, through the Chair, to the CSI Board on which all three universities are represented. The CEO plays a key role in setting CSI’s strategic direction, operating in a higher education environment and continuing the Centre’s strong academic record in action research that is characterised by both applied impact and rigour, the latter measured through a solid output of publications in top ranking scientific and business journals. CSI is known for its research that influences both policy and practice, and for developing capability of social leaders through management education.
The Centre has been increasingly sought after by media, government and industry as the credible go-to for rigorous insights at a national level, a profile for the new CEO to continue. For more on the Centre’s recent activities and achievements, see the CSI Impact Report 2020
Dr Rosalind De Sailly and Jack Andrew-Kabilafkas worked with the University and CSI Board on the search and selection process.
