James Toomey

CEO

James Toomey is Chief Executive Officer at SVA, most recently he was a Deputy Secretary in NSW Department of Communities and Justice and prior to that CEO of Mission Australia. He is motivated by the possibility that human service systems can create the conditions for people to change their lives, which aligns well with SVA’s systems change agenda. James’ experience is that maladapted systems can trap people and communities in dependency, and he seeks to challenge the complacency that leads to that.

He has a strong track record of leading and initiating collaborative projects such as The Possibility Partnership, The Constellation Project and the End Street Sleeping Collaboration. As a qualified social worker, he has worked in the front line of child protection and youth justice in the UK.

James has qualifications and experience over an extensive social sector career focussed on delivering impactful services in the UK and Australia. He holds an MSc in Social Work, and an MBA and is a GAICD, and has sat on a number of non-profit boards.

My experiences in the social sector have allowed me to think deeply about the causes and impacts of disadvantage on individuals and communities. I’m convinced that better outcomes are achievable and can be delivered though systems change and a greater focus on the recipient.” James Toomey • CEO