Gandel Philanthropy Appoints New CEO
27 October 2011 at 10:32 am
One of Victoria’s major private philanthropic Trusts, Gandel Philanthropy, has apppointed Vedran Drakulic as the organisation’s new Chief Executive Officer.
And with the new appointment comes the name change from Gandel Charitable Trust to Gandel Philanthropy in what the Chairman and founder, John Gandel describes as a small directional change. He believes the new name reflects a more contemporary approach and more people are familiar with the word ‘philanthropy’.
Vedran Drakulic comes from the RACV where he was General Manager of Public Affairs and in charge of the motoring organisation’s community partnerships, sponsorships and the RACV Community Foundation.
Prior to RACV, Drakulic spent 15 years in the humanitarian field, working for Australian Red Cross, International Red Cross and Oxfam, where his experience spans public affairs, fundraising, marketing, communications and sponsorships.
John Gandel says Drakulic comes across as a committed and passionate person with strong moral values.
Gandel says some 125 people applied for the role of CEO. He says the organisation wants to make a small directional change with a more philosophical approach to grant making.
He says the organisation may still remain broad based in its funding but it may chose to target new areas.
He added that if your always take the safe path you are not taking yourself into the future.
Gandel says the aim is to do a better job in philanthropy.
Drakulic says he’s proud and honoured with the appointment.
Vedran Drakulic says he is committed to furthering and expanding the work of Gandel Philanthropy so that it continues to make a real difference in people’s lives and the community.
Melbourne’s Gandel family has been committed to charitable works for almost 30 years. John and Pauline Gandel , part owners and developers of Melbourne’s Chadstone Shopping Centre, donated one million dollars to the Victorian bushfire victims in the wake of Australia’s worst bushfire tragedy in 2009.
Drakulic replaces the former CEO Lyn Brodie who left the Trust at the end of July and he will join the organisation on 15 December, 2011.
