A seasoned leader in the domestic and family violence sector has returned to the Illawarra to take the helm of an innovative, Australian-first service dedicated to healing and recovery.
From State Advocacy to Local Leadership
Elise Phillips has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Illawarra Women's Trauma Recovery Centre, which first opened its doors in 2024. The appointment was made by the Illawarra Women's Health Centre, with Ms Phillips stepping into the role following interim CEO Maree Kerr.
Ms Phillips brings a wealth of high-level experience to the position, having most recently served as the Deputy CEO of Domestic Violence NSW, the state's peak body for frontline domestic and family violence services. In that role, she focused on prevention, awareness-raising, and advocating to government for crucial funding and systemic changes amid growing demand for support.
A Career Dedicated to Systemic Change
Her professional journey began with a decade in the family and relationship sector, primarily at CatholicCare in Wollongong, where she frequently worked with individuals affected by domestic violence. She later moved into roles at No to Violence, an organisation focused on ending men's violence, before her pivotal work at the peak body.
"I became drawn to roles where I could help the most vulnerable and effect change at a systems level," Ms Phillips explained. "So working in a role where I could interact at a high level with people who make decisions... that kind of felt like a role where I could have the biggest impact and bring about the greatest change."
The opportunity to lead the trauma recovery centre presented a compelling reason to return to a local role. She was excited by the prospect of working for a groundbreaking service that offers something unique in Australia.
Delivering on the Promise of a Unique Service
"To be working in an organisation that's an Australian-first... it's a really important opportunity to deliver something to people experiencing violence that they can't get anywhere else," Ms Phillips said. She emphasised that the centre's model is co-designed with lived experts, making it responsive to actual needs rather than bureaucratic assumptions, and operates with fewer constraints than traditional services.
Sally Stevenson, Executive Director of the Illawarra Women's Health Centre, expressed strong confidence in the appointment. She stated that Ms Phillips exceeded all selection criteria and brings a rare combination of frontline understanding, financial management skills, and leadership experience.
"We have a great degree of confidence that she'll be able to deliver on the promise of what this centre can deliver," Ms Stevenson said.
Looking Ahead: Growth and Healing
Ms Phillips sees her immediate focus as executing the centre's "really clear vision" to support victim-survivors, guided by a new strategic plan set to launch soon. She will lead a team of more than 15 staff, with expectations for growth as the centre scales up its operations following its foundational year.
She acknowledges the sector-wide challenge of attracting and retaining skilled staff, especially in regional areas, but believes the centre's unique, recovery-oriented model is a powerful draw for practitioners.
"This is work that is healing and recovery-oriented, and so it makes it quite a lovely and unique place as a practitioner to be working," Ms Phillips said, highlighting the centre's value proposition for potential employees dedicated to making a tangible difference in the Illawarra community.
