The Mother's Day Classic Foundation, Australia's largest breast cancer research fundraiser is very pleased to announce the appointment of Zara Lawless as Chief Executive Officer of the Mother's Day Classic Foundation (MDCF). Zara commenced her role at MDCF this week.
Most recently Zara was the General Manager for Governance and Strategic Projects for national not-for-profit organisation, Vision Australia, overseeing a dynamic and evolving process of strategic development and execution responding to changes in the external funding environment. This followed more than eight years with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, and as Deputy CEO, managing and developing key relationships with major stakeholders, government bodies and the wider community.
Zara's background includes work in the not-for-profit and events sectors, and throughout her career, she has placed an emphasis on providing dynamic leadership and strategic thinking to build relationships and networks connecting people and ideas to deliver successful complex projects and major events.
She was a director of not-for-profit organisation, The Good Foundation, established to focus on programmes that promote good health and nutrition and also responsible for leading a review of Cancer Council Victoria's governing legislation and assessment of its governance structure.
Zara has spent many years volunteering and successfully managing fundraising and running community events for various charitable and not-for-profit organisations such as Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and the Victorian Bushfire Relief Centres. Zara is a practising lawyer and also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Zara Lawless says, "I am honoured and excited to be appointed to this role with the Mother's Day Classic Foundation."
"The Mother's Day Classic is so much more than the sum of its parts. As an annual walk and fun run, not only does it raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research, it brings the community together on Mother's Day, delivering a fun, healthy and inspirational event that celebrates the lives of those touched by breast cancer."
As the major fundraiser for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), the MDC has contributed more than $36 million to breast cancer research, aiming to improve the way that breast cancer is diagnosed, managed and treated, while also helping those affected live longer and better lives.
Zara says, "I look forward to working collaboratively with the Mother's Day Classic team, in particular Women in Super, the National Breast Cancer Foundation, event sponsors and the extraordinary network of dedicated volunteers nationwide, to build on the inspiring legacy of this iconic Australian event."
Louise Davidson AM, MDCF Chair and co-Founder, says: "We are delighted to announce that Zara Lawless has commenced in the role of CEO of Mother's Day Classic Foundation to lead the annual Women in Super Mother's Day Classic event."
"Zara brings with her a wealth of experience in the delivery of complex projects and major events in both the not-for-profit and commercial sectors and a depth of understanding in strategic governance and change management. She will provide strong leadership for the MDCF in its efforts to drive fundraising and participation growth into the next decade, securing the MDCF long-term goals for increased research funding for breast cancer and building on key corporate and community partnerships," says Ms Davidson.
Zara takes over the role from long time CEO Sharon Morris, who resigned from the MDCF leadership in August this year.
"We look forward to this new chapter with Zara at the helm and would like to take this opportunity to thank Sharon for all she has achieved as CEO of MDCF and the Women in Super Mother's Day Classic. We wish her every success in her new role."
The annual Mother's Day Classic fun walk + run provides the single largest donation to NBCF, raising over $36 million for breast cancer research since 1998.
What started in 1998 as a way to honour those affected by breast cancer and to support research into the disease has grown into Australia's largest breast cancer fundraiser involving up to 100,000 participants and volunteers around the nation, raising money each Mother's Day for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) and life-saving research.
The 2020 Mother's Day Classic walk + run will be held on Sunday 10 May in up to 90 locations from capital cities, regional centres and remote towns across Australia.
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