Embedded Files
Sean Wilson has over two decades experience in supporting the community and not-for-profit sectors.
He's served in board-appointed CEO and senior leaderships roles in the community sector, as well as supporting the community sector. As well on boards and committees, including over 10 years in office-bearer roles (Company Director, Company Secretary, Public Officer, Chairperson).
Medical Research: As CEO of The Kolling Foundation (now NORTH Foundation). The charity partner for the Northern Sydney Local Health District. He led the whole organisation. Working in partnership with hospitals and universities to raise funds to support 200+ doctors and scientists engaged in medical research across the Royal North Shore Hospital campus, The Kolling Institute, etc. Included many sub-charities (e.g. Olle Fund for Brain Cancer Research). Attracted corporate partners such as Westfield.
Home Building/Construction: As National General Manager Sales & Marketing at The Housing Industry Association (HIA), the peak body for home building in Australia, he led company-wide commercial operations with $85m+ in revenue/P&L responsibility and a team of 300+ across 23 sites. He was responsible for membership, training, events, retail, apprenticeships, publications, Home Ideas Centres and the national call centre, supporting builders, renovators, trade contractors, developers and suppliers across Australia. He transformed declining membership into growth, expanding the organisation to 50,000+ members. He grew training to 500+ courses and 8,000+ participants, increased apprenticeships to 600+, expanded the retail network to 20+ locations and launched a new online marketplace. He also expanded member events, including educational workshops and webinars, and led a successful enterprise-wide transformation across 23 sites, improving commercial performance, operational alignment and customer engagement.
Community Legal & Social Justice: He led a national project as Commercial Director at Sharing Minds. Supporting over 1200 community legal centre professionals across Australia to move to AIIM legaltech software. Built on Microsoft Power Apps. The project included migrating >700,000 legal clients, >1.5 million legal service records, >10 terabytes of highly-sensitive legal documents. As well as developing new functions such as conversational AI and NJAP reporting to meet government funding requirements.
Communty Media & Sport: As an Advisory Board Member for Close to Home Media he supported over 100 community radio stations & thousands of community sporting groups to increase fundraising through on-air sponsorships (reach = 1 million) and ground/jersey sponsorships (reach = 6,000).
Community Strata: As an Elected Member and Chairperson of a Strata Committee since 2021 (5+ years). Keeping the building safe, functional, and financially healthy through property maintenance, financial administration, by-law enforcement, record keeping, etc.
Community Development (Business, men’s health, suicide prevention, human rights, sports, etc): As a volunteer for decades. Working with organisations such as NSW Health, ACON, Australian Human Rights Commission Outlink Project, Australian Soccer Federation, Kung Fu Wushu Australia, Mr Australasia, LGBT+ support groups and business associations, etc.
He brings deep experience setting strategic direction, partnering with boards, donors and stakeholders, and translating mission into resilient, well-governed operating models. He's led organisations through growth, stabilisation and transformation, balancing community outcomes with financial stewardship and long-term sustainability.
Across his roles, he's held full P&L accountability for portfolios up to $85M+, overseen diversified funding models spanning philanthropy, grants, membership and commercial income, and built executive teams capable of delivering both social impact and organisational resilience. He's scaled operations, strengthened governance, risk and compliance, and lifted execution quality in highly scrutinised environments.
His work includes donor and partner engagement, board and committee leadership, government and regulator interface, and stewardship of mission-critical assets. He aligns boards, executives, staff, volunteers and partners around clear priorities, shared purpose and measurable outcomes.
His qualifications span Business Management, Marketing, Legal Services, Human Resources, Information Technology and Company Director certification, supported by professional credentials including AICD, ICDA, GIA, AHRI, ITPA and The CEO Institute.
Proven Community and Not For Profit Success
As the CEO & Managing Director of Kolling Foundation at Royal North Shore Hospital (now North Foundation), he led the whole organisation, including many subsidiary companies. To support medical research across the Northern Sydney Local Health District including Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH), North Shore Private Hospital, Ryde Hospital, Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital and the Kolling Institute. He served as a Member of the Board of Directors, Company Secretary & Public Officer, Member of the Finance, Investment & Audit Committee, Member of the Andrew Olle Memorial Trust Committee and more. He worked with the Board to attract high-net-worth individuals and corporate sponsors (Westfield, Ernst & Young, etc). He also led the successful set up a new team as part of the launch of the new $100m Kolling Building for Medical Research in partnership with NSW Health and the University of Sydney.
As National General Manager Sales & Marketing for The Housing Industry Association, he led commercial operations for one of Australia's largest industry associations ($85m+ revenue, 50,000+ members, 600+ apprentices, 300+ staff, 20+ offices: Home Ideas Centres, national events such as Australian Housing Awards, Building & HomeShows across Australia, etc).
As Commercial Director at Sharing Minds, he helped community legal centers across Australia migrate from CLASS to AIIM Community Legal Software. And implement innovative new legaltech such as conversational AI to improve resource management and increase access to social justice. Migrated >700,000 legal clients, >1.5 million legal service records, transferred >10 terabytes of highly-sensitive legal documents, trained over 1200 users, etc.
As an Advisory Board Member at Close to Home Media he supported 100+ local radio stations and 6,000+ local sporting clubs to secure government and corporate partners/sponsors.
He's also volunteered for community and not for profit organisations and served on boards and committees:
Chairperson & Elected Member of Strata Committees: 5+ years
President, Secretary & Member of chambers of commerce: 5+ years.
Co-Founder & Committee Member for Mr Australasia - Fundraising events to improve men's health and reduce suicide: 5+ years.
Chair, Secretary & Member of business associations (Rotary, SGLBA, Pride Business Network, etc).
Facilitator for Men's Health Groups (NSW Community Health, ACON, etc).
Roving Marshall at Sydney Mardi Gras - The largest pride event in Oceania. Attended by hundreds of thousands of people: 3+ years.
Member of the Human Rights Commission Outlink Executive Committee (suicide prevention): 2+ years.
Member of the Board of Directors, North Foundation (health & medical): 2+ years.
Company Secretary, North Foundation (health & medical, not for profit): 2+ years.
Finance, Investments, and Audit Committees, North Foundation (not for profit): 2+ years.
Research Advisory Grants Committee, North Foundation (not for profit): 2+ years.
Fundraising Committee, North Foundation (not for profit): 2+ years.
Andrew Olle Memorial Trust for brain cancer research (not for profit): 2+ years.
Deputy Campaign Director for an MP who won the NSW Election. Ran multi-lingual community strategies. Achieved a record result.
Site Manager, Sydney Olympic Games – Parramatta Celebrations.
President & Secretary, Community Groups (suicide prevention, not for profit).
Member of Organising Committee, Regional Health Conference (community development).
Martial Arts Instructor: 10+ years.
Soccer Referee - Semi-Professional Super League matches, Amateur League, etc.
Soccer Referee Inspector - Level 1.
And more.
Google Sites
Report abuse