The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Foundation Board announced today that, after an extensive executive search, Ryan Brown has been appointed as the next Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Ryan joined the RCH Foundation as Director of Fundraising in 2017 and is a highly trusted, compassionate and visionary leader. During his time with the organisation, Ryan has led strategic philanthropic growth, building strong connections both across campus and with our donor community.     

Chairman Richard Leder OAM said “we’re thrilled to have appointed Ryan Brown as Chief Executive Officer of the RCH Foundation. An experienced and trusted leader on campus, Ryan has worked in the non-profit sector for over 20 years, and has played a key role in driving innovation and change for the RCH Foundation, including in his capacity as Director of Fundraising, and more recently in his role as Deputy Chief Executive Officer. 

“Highly respected across the campus and with our donors and partners, Ryan’s commitment to the future including delivering on our 2023 – 2030 strategic plan, his strong links on campus and to our donors, strategic insight and enthusiasm for paediatric healthcare, impressed the Board, which made a unanimous decision,” said Richard.  

Ryan has spent the last 12 years working in public health including at the Northern Health Foundation, CARE Australia and Variety, the Children’s Charity, and currently holds non-executive board positions with Omeo District Health and Gippsland Primary Health Network. Ryan will succeed Sue Hunt AM, who has been CEO since 2010.  Click here to learn more about Sue’s announcement.

Of Ryan’s appointment, Sue said, “I’m thrilled to be passing over the organisation to incredibly safe and capable hands. I’m so proud of all that I have helped achieve over the past 13 years, and together with Ryan in the past six, we have driven innovation in fundraising, adapted and excelled in donor engagement and truly changed the lives of some of Victoria’s sickest and most vulnerable children. Ryan is a highly respected leader on campus, and I strongly believe that in collaboration with his Leadership Team and the Board, he will achieve incredible things for the future paediatric healthcare.”  

Ryan said, “I am honoured and excited to be appointed CEO, and to build on the vital work we do every day. The RCH Foundation is truly changing the future of paediatric healthcare, and I look forward to continuing work with our campus partners, the RCH, the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the University Of Melbourne to help make a difference for generations to come.”