Governance & Management
The St Vincent de Paul Society is a lay Catholic organisation made up of 10,000+ members, volunteers and employees. In Victoria, the Society is governed by State Council which consists of members who represent the members and volunteers, and oversee the strategic direction of the Society.
The members of State Council are made up of eight elected members and up to a further seven appointments that may be made by the State President. The term of office for elected members is for up to four years with retirements occurring at any time during the year.
In addition State Council relies on external expertise for specific roles. Advisers are appointed and attend State Council as required to assist our work in legal, risk management, spiritual and other special areas.
MICHAEL QUINN
STATE PRESIDENT
Michael Quinn was elected Victorian State President on 19 February 2022.
Michael’s involvement with the St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria began in 1992 when he joined the Langwarrin Conference. Michael has worn many hats in the Society. In addition to his local volunteer work, he was the previous Deputy State President, chair of the Retail Advisory Committee, board member of the SVDP Victoria Board, VincentCare Victoria, VincentCare Community Housing and was the Bendigo Regional President.
Michael is an active member of his community and believes in engaging young people and harnessing the youthful spirit of the Society's Mini Vinnies and College Conferences. He passionately believes that young people are the future of the Society in Australia. Among Michael’s proudest achievements has been establishing the East Timor Scholarship Fund at Comoro Technical College in Dili in 2001, which provides 50 scholarships a year.
State Council
Appointed Office Bearers
- Deputy State President - Barb Anglin
- Vice President - Ken Northwood
- Vice President - Maria Minto Cahill
- Treasurer - Shane O'Meara
- State Youth Representative - Joshua McLeod
Central Council Presidents
- Eastern Central Council - Margaret Gearon
- Northern Central Council - David Forrest
- Southern Central Council - CP Singh
- Western Central Council - Grace Pulis
- Gippsland Central Council - Sheryl Carstein
- North Eastern Central Council - Rosanne Hill
- North Western Central Council - Michael Ryan
CHARLIE SPENDLOVE
INTERIM GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Charlie Spendlove is a for-purpose leader dedicated to advancing the mission of the St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria. She currently serves as Executive General Manager, Brand & Commercial, overseeing Corporate Affairs, Vinnies Retail and the Philanthropy portfolio, and has recently stepped into the role of Interim Group CEO.
For close to two decades, Charlie has held senior executive roles across the not-for-profit and public sectors, including Guide Dogs Australia, the Victorian Government and Scope Australia, where she led major brand and organisational transformations, scaled income streams and built high-performing teams.
She is recognised as a values-based leader who builds teams grounded in trust, service and shared purpose, bringing an unapologetically optimistic, people-centred approach to leadership.
Senior Leadership Team
Working together, our CEO and Senior Leadership Team manage the operations of the St Vincent de Paul Society. Portfolios include:
- Brand & Commercial
- Client Services
- Corporate Services
- General Counsel
- Membership Support
- People & Culture
- Strategy, Mission & Innovation