Unwavering, passionate, determined leader Shannan Dodson steps down from CEO position

‘Her presence will be missed considerably’

It is with a heavy heart that The Healing Foundation announces the resignation of CEO Shannan Dodson (Yawuru).

Shannan has been part of The Healing Foundation for 4 years – working originally as a consultant, then the Deputy CEO and now CEO.

The decision for Shannan to step down has not come easy, but it was important for her to be able to make time for her family and wellbeing.

“I have spent a great deal of time considering what is sustainable for me and my family in the years ahead. I know now is the right time to begin a leadership transition,” she said.

“I remain deeply supportive of the vision, purpose and future of this organisation. This work is deeply personal for me, and I will always fight for the justice and healing for Stolen Generations survivors.’

Regarded as an excellent communicator and leader, Shannan has been an incredibly powerful advocate for Stolen Generations survivors and everything that The Healing Foundation stands for as an organisation.

She has stood firmly, unflinchingly towards Federal Government, State Government and other sector leaders across the country to call for meaningful change for Stolen Generations survivors.

Leading the national conversation

She has frequently fronted national media interviews on our most important days such as National Sorry Day and the National Apology anniversary.

She’s spoken with the country’s top leaders, including the Minister for Indigenous Affairs and the Prime Minister, State and Federal leaders, and heads of relevant departments to ensure The Healing Foundation amplifies the national conversation about Stolen Generations survivors.

Above all else, she’s taken these opportunities to put survivors first, continually highlighting their growing and urgent needs.

She has guided The Healing Foundation at the helm through critical moments, such as when we delivered our Are you waiting for us to die report in early 2025 – a report that called out government leaders for the many years of inaction on the recommendation in the report that guides the very fabric of our organisation – the Bringing them home report – work her father led in the 1990s.

Working at The Healing Foundation has been more than a job for Shannan, it is something she is deeply connected to, with not only her father, Mick Dodson, as one of the authors behind the Bringing the home report, but also having Aunties who were also part of the Stolen Generations.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together. We have fought for important reforms to the Aged Care Act to ensure survivors are not penalised and acquired extra funding to expand the impact of the sector and continued to elevate the voices of Stolen Generations Survivors and organisations across Australia,” Shannan said.

Strengthening and nourishing relationships

Her passion and drive to lead this work will be sorely missed. She has supported the organisation to strengthen and maintain so many relationships. This includes with leaders from Stolen Generations organisations, the organisations that sit on the front line of all the work that we do – and whom without, we may not exist.

“We’ve strengthened relationships across Government, survivor networks and organisations,” she said.  

“None of that has been the work of one person. It has been the result of an extraordinary team, a committed Board, dedicated partners and, most importantly, the wisdom, strength and leadership of survivors.”

Shannan said she was particularly grateful for being able to work directly with survivors during her tenure.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to Stolen Generations survivors. Thank you for your openness, your vulnerability, support, your advocacy and for allowing me to walk alongside you in this work,” she said.

“The trust you have placed in me and in our organisation is something I have never taken lightly. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a cause that matters so profoundly.”

This year, she supported The Healing Foundation to deliver its action plan From Sorry to Action: a plan to act on Bringing them home.

The creation of this plan has been the result of the culmination of speaking with survivors and Stolen Generations organisations directly, endless conversations with leaders of departments and relevant organisations to define their roles, countless hours of policy research, drafting and redrafting. Much of this work, particularly speaking directly to those most accountable, would not have been possible without Shannan’s leadership.

A tremendous contribution

The Healing Foundation Board Chair Professor Steve Larkin (Kungarakan) said with all of Shannan’s hard work, planning and preparing for many big moments, time spent with survivors, talking to leaders, and supporting and leading her team at The Healing Foundation – she leaves the organisation in a great position.

“Shannan has unquestionably made a significant difference to The Healing Foundation. Her drive and passion for fighting for better lives and outcomes for Stolen Generations survivors has been unwavering,” he said.

“Her presence at The Healing Foundation will be missed considerably, of that I have no doubt.

“The board and I stand with Shannan and are supportive of her decision to step down as CEO for her family and wellbeing.

“The rationale behind her decision truly reflects the core values of the work we do at The Healing Foundation – wellbeing, connection, culture, family.

“On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to thank Shannan for her tremendous contribution to The Healing Foundation.”

Shannan will step down in August, and the recruitment process for a new CEO is underway.