MEDIA RELEASE FROM QPP
13 May 2019
Queensland Positive People (QPP) is delighted to announce the appointment of public health HIV expert Melissa Warner as our new Chief Executive Officer. Ms Warner has over 20 years’ HIV clinical and program delivery experience gained from diverse roles within NGOs, government organisations and clinical settings in Australia, UK and Asia.
With the assistance of NGO Recruitment, the QPP Board conducted a nationwide search and recruitment process, which included multiple rounds of interviews and consultation with stakeholder partners and community leaders across the country.
Board President Matt Hall says QPP is thrilled to have appointed Ms Warner who brings a unique perspective from her HIV community, clinical and government experience. She also has the expert skills to support the board with her in depth understanding of complex government funding processes and negotiations.
“Melissa was selected from an impressive shortlist of talented candidates with high credentials and was the standout in terms of her abilities to lead QPP strategically through a time of change. She also has a profound connection to our community and a strong network of stakeholders,” says Mr Hall.
“As CEO of QPP Melissa will be working closely with the Board to ensure our ongoing sustainability and ability to provide further valuable services for people living with HIV within the Queensland community,” he says.
For the last 10 years, Ms Warner has been at the forefront of HIV and sexual health programs, policy, services and research here in Queensland. She was Principal Public Health Officer at the HIV Foundation Queensland (HIVFQ) for over four years, working closely with both state and national bodies as well as clinicians and researchers across Queensland, and most recently was responsible for planning and evaluating sexually transmissible infections and blood borne virus preventative health interventions at the Queensland Department of Health.
Since 2013, Ms Warner has worked closely with the QPP management team, supporting them to diversify services and funding. This has included advocating for the implementation and expansion of the RAPID HIV/STI testing program, the HIV Emergency Treatment Fund and the Peer Navigation program for Medicare ineligible people.
With her longstanding relationships within the Queensland HIV community, Ms Warner is uniquely placed to the support the strengthening of QPP’s partnership approach with government, NGOs, clinicians and researchers.
“Over the last 14 years, Simon O’Connor has achieved so much to improve the lives of HIV positive people in Queensland and I am humbled to now follow in his footsteps. I have shared so many personal and professional journeys with people living with HIV from all around the world and I am therefore excited and incredibly honoured to play an integral role in QPP’s next chapter of growth and diversification,” says Ms Warner.
Ms Warner will be transitioning into her new role in June 2019.