With a highly impressive background in business management and ownership, as well as the boardroom of Local Impact, Sarah is well positioned to provide outstanding leadership from the outset.

“I am so thrilled to take up the mantle from our inaugural Chair, Wal Wiersma,” Franklyn says.

“Wal and the team at Local Impact have already developed programs, supported initiatives and driven outcomes that have made a real difference in our community.  As Chair of Local Impact, I want to help our team to help our community thrive and my passion is about creating an environment and opportunities where that can happen particularly for disadvantaged or less engaged parts of our community.”

Wiersma will maintain a position on the board following his highly successful term as leader.

“A group of like-minded people set out on the Local Impact adventure in 2019,” he reflects.

“Thanks to the generosity of the Seddon Community Bank, through their amazing Community Sponsorship and Grants programs, we had basic financial security. We brought expertise, and a shared commitment to our community. We haven’t stopped since!

With our experience and record of results, we understand more clearly what needs to be done, and what we can do to make an even greater impact.

It was a rare privilege to serve as the inaugural Chair of Local Impact. I am proud of our achievements, and excited about our future. As I pass the baton to Sarah Franklyn, I know that our success will continue. Sarah has been an essential part of Local Impact from the start. I have no doubt that she will lead us to even bigger and better things. Just watch! Better still: join in!”

Local Impact CEO Andy Moutray-Read is similarly excited for the organisation’s future:

“It’s a time of change for the Foundation and I thank Wal for his commitment and leadership, whilst similarly looking forward to working closely with Sarah and her foundation committee over the coming years.”

Franklyn has already begun work in her new role and the entire team looks forward to the future under her leadership.

“We are already significantly impacting the people of our community,” she concludes, “whether it’s providing life skills at the Community Bike Hub, learning crucial financial literacy through our Money Mentor Program or simply finding a voice or a new interest in The Westsider.

The good news is we have only just begun and I am so excited to be part of the next chapter.”