Chasing purpose leads Joe to head role at Vinnies Queensland

After two decades working across law, property and corporate governance, Joe Duskovic reached a moment of quiet clarity: professional success alone was no longer enough. 

That search for purpose led him to St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland. After 13 years of service there, Joe was recently appointed as the Society’s new Chief Executive Officer, ready to lead the organisation in providing charitable assistance and support to Queenslander’s experiencing homelessness, poverty and other hardships across the state.

“I realised I was looking for something more meaningful,” Joe said. “I’ve always been interested in people more than property, and I wanted my work to reflect the values I live by.”

Joe joined St Vincent de Paul in 2013 after leaving a senior executive role in the property development sector. Giving notice to the managing director caused some surprise.

“He joked that if I wanted to work for a charity, I could stay and work for free,” Joe said.

“As it turned out, joining Vinnies was a life-changing decision for me and my family.”

Joe takes over the CEO role following Kevin Mercer’s appointment as CEO of Ozcare, at a time of significant demand and complexity across the community services sector.

“The need for what we do is growing, particularly as Queensland faces a severe housing shortage and rising levels of poverty and homelessness,” Joe said.

“These challenges require compassion, but they also demand strong governance, disciplined delivery and collaboration across sectors.”

State President Patricia McMahon said Joe had demonstrated the key values required for a leadership role with St Vincent de Paul – the heart of a servant leader and a passion for honouring dignity and empowering others.

“Joe’s appointment reflects the State Council’s strong confidence in his leadership and readiness to guide the organisation following consistent progression across senior leadership roles including Acting CEO, Deputy CEO and General Manager positions” Patricia said.

“Across 13 years with Vinnies Queensland, Joe has demonstrated values-based leadership, an excellent understanding of our services and communities, and a strong focus on supporting our people in working together to achieve our mission.”

Joe said his background outside the not-for-profit sector has proven valuable in helping Vinnies respond at scale, while remaining grounded in its mission.

“Vinnies is member-led, faith-based and deeply practical in the way it serves people,” he said. “Our Christian ethos isn’t abstract – it’s lived every day through compassion, respect and walking alongside people in need. That alignment of values is what makes this organisation so special.

“I’ve always been inspired by people, and our Members, Volunteers and Employees all bring extraordinary commitment and compassion to their communities, and a genuine respect for the dignity of every Queenslander.

During his previous role as General Manager Property and Construction, Joe helped establish and lead the Society’s largest housing program in Queensland, the 500 Homes initiative.

This initiative, developed in response to Queensland’s affordable housing shortage, aims to deliver safe, affordable housing with access to wrap-around supports.

The first 153 social and community homes are under construction in four locations across Queensland with the the Society expecting to welcome residents from late 2026.

“We know building housing is only part of the solution,” Joe said.

“Stable homes, paired with the right supports, give people the chance to rebuild their lives and exit homelessness for good.”

“Working for St Vincent de Paul means seeing first-hand just how homelessness, poverty and hardship impact our communities. When people have lost all hope, our response is to help them find it.

“It’s confronting, it’s challenging, and it’s often heartbreaking – and there is nowhere else I’d rather be.”