Eva Skira AM to Chair CECWA

The Bishops of Western Australia, as the Members of Catholic Education Western Australia Limited, have announced the appointment of Ms Eva Skira AM as a Commissioner and Chair‑elect of the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia (CECWA). Eva’s appointment as the Chair of CECWA will take effect from Monday 6 June 2022. Eva will succeed the Most Reverend Gerard Holohan DD, Bishop of Bunbury, who retires on Friday 3 June 2022 having served as Chair since 2013.

A member of the Order of Australia, Eva joins CECWA after a distinguished career in governance and finance which has included several significant non-executive board appointments across a range of industry sectors. Most recently, she has been a director of Western Power since 2017 and Chair of Macmahon Holdings from 2019. Prior to this, over 22 years, Eva has actively served in governance roles with St John of God Healthcare Group, serving in the roles of Deputy Chair of the Board from 2008 to 2012 and then as Chair of Trustees from 2014 to the end of 2021. Eva was Chair of the Water Corporation between 2012 to 2016 and was Deputy Chancellor of Murdoch University from 2008 to 2014. Eva is Chair of the Association of Ministerial PJPs Limited and a member of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia.

Eva’s contributions to public and private sector leadership and governance have led to her appointment as a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Australian Institute of Management, the Corporate Governance Institute of Australia and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, as well as being appointed as a Senior Fellow and Life Member of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, Chair of Members of CEWA Ltd said:

“Eva brings to CECWA her experience of leadership, a deep understanding of governance in the not for profit and business sector, and a personal commitment to serving for-purpose organisations aligned to her vibrant Catholic faith.

The Bishops of Western Australia considered the skills, attributes and education sector knowledge considered important for the role. In addition to demonstrated expertise leading a large, complex governance environment, the Bishops and CECWA sought an individual with a personal commitment to the mission of Catholic education and experience in organisational improvement in a Catholic organisation”.

Bishop Holohan has welcomed the appointment of Eva, affirming her wealth of leadership experience and commercial acumen, as well as a strong personal belief in Christ-centred education.

Eva says,

“It is a great privilege to be appointed Chair of CECWA, particularly at such a pivotal time for education and the broader community. I am grateful for the opportunity to be guided by the knowledge and wisdom of Bishop Holohan, whose chairmanship of CECWA has been much admired. I believe Catholic schools make a significant contribution to Western Australia and I look forward to working with Dr Debra Sayce, the Executive of CEWA, and CECWA to further the important endeavours of Catholic education in Western Australia”.

CECWA will formally recognise the significant and selfless contribution of Bishop Gerard Holohan to Catholic education upon his retirement as Chair of CECWA.

Text from CEWA media release

Also reported in The Record, Perth Archdiocesan News