18 May 2005

AIM Appoints Executive in Residence

Former Queensland Deputy Premier and Treasurer Joan Sheldon A.M.,L.T.C.L., FAIM, F.A.I.C.D., is breaking new ground by taking on the inaugural position of Executive in Residence at the Australian Institute of Management – Qld & NT.

Mrs Sheldon will act as an ambassador for the Institute, providing coaching and mentoring to senior executives in business and government.

Mrs Sheldon said she was looking forward to taking on such an innovative new role.

"This sort of position has existed in academia, but I think this may be one of the only Executive in Residence positions in a private sector organisation," she said.

"But it makes a lot of sense to enhance our support for top-level managers, as they try to cope with the challenges of today's rapidly changing commercial environment."

AIM CEO Carolyn Barker FAIM said she was delighted that Mrs Sheldon had accepted the position with such enthusiasm.

"Joan Sheldon is a vital woman with great ideas and obviously a proven record of success," Ms Barker said. "I'm sure she'll strengthen the very strong relationship we already have with managers in the upper echelons of business and government."

Mrs Sheldon retired from politics last year, after 14 years in the Queensland Parliament. In 1991, she was elected Leader of the Queensland Liberals, making her the first woman to lead a political party in the State.

From 1996 to 1998, Mrs Sheldon was Queensland 's first female Deputy Premier and Treasurer. She was also the first woman to lead the State as acting Premier.

Since retiring from politics, Mrs Sheldon has joined the boards of three not-for-profit organisations as chair, including the Queensland Ballet. This year, she was honoured to be appointed as a Member of the order of Australia.

She said her new role with the Australian Institute of Management would allow her to renew her ties with the Queensland business community, helping to foster its development.

"When I was Treasurer of Queensland, I worked very closely with business and industry in this State," Mrs Sheldon said.

"I was very impressed with the leadership of our top level managers. But these days, with technology changing the way we do business and breaking down many of the old barriers, we have to work hard to maintain that professional edge.

"That's what I'm committed to achieving, in a partnership between the Australian Institute of Management and senior executives from business and government," Mrs Sheldon said.