News

Jackie Ballard has been appointed as the new Chief Executive at Womankind Worldwide, the UK’s leading international women’s rights charity.

She will be leading a small but dedicated staff team at the charity, which supports women in Africa, Asia and Latin America to escape violence and have a say in the decisions that affect their lives.

Jackie has been the Chief Executive at Action on Hearing Loss (formerly RNID) since 2007. Her key achievements during this period include redefining the organisation’s strategic approach to be more inclusive, restructuring the services side of the business to enable a personalised approach to care and support, expanding the work on biomedical research and leading the name change from RNID to Action on Hearing Loss.

Jackie Ballard said:

“I am really excited about working for Womankind Worldwide as women’s rights is an issue I care passionately about and I have long hoped to be able to make a contribution to international development. I am very lucky to have this opportunity to work with an organisation which makes such a difference to the lives of millions of women in Africa, Asia and South America.”

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working at Action on Hearing Loss, as deafness and hearing loss is such a worthwhile cause and there is still so much to do to get people to take it seriously. I have had the privilege of working with a brilliant board of trustees and high performing staff. I am certain, though, that this is the right time for me to move on, as my successor will be able to shape the next 5 years of our work through a new strategy and will have the continuity of working with our current Chairman, whose term of office ends in November 2013.”

Julie Ashdown, Chair, Womankind Worldwide said:

“We are delighted to gain a new Chief Executive as experienced and respected as Jackie. Her commitment to women’s rights and her energy and enthusiasm will complement our work to promote women’s rights and development around the world. I look forward to working with her.”

Gerald Corbett, Chair, Action on Hearing Loss said:

“Jackie has had a massive impact on Action on Hearing Loss since she joined and, on behalf of the trustees, we shall be very sorry to lose her and wish her every success at Womankind Worldwide.”

Jackie is due to start her new role in September.