The Essendon Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Sally Curtain to the Board as a Club Director.

A lifelong Bombers supporter, Curtain joins the Board with significant industry experience across business advocacy, education, local government and public sector leadership.

Curtain is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Victoria's largest business advocacy organisation. Prior to this, Curtain was Chief Executive Officer of Bendigo Kangan Institute and held executive roles at the Department of Justice, the City of Casey and VicRoads.

Essendon Football Club President Andrew Welsh said Curtain's leadership and skillset were aligned to the Board's vision.

"Sally is a proven transformational leader with a track record all Boards would love to have in the room,” Welsh said.

“We’ve been in detailed discussions with Sally about this role since April and are really excited to now formalise her appointment.

“Her experience across government, education and industry gives the Club a genuine depth of governance expertise and a clear understanding of how to lead large, complex organisations through change.

 “These skills will be invaluable for us as we continue our work at Windy Hill including funding requirements, growing our education platforms across the Club as well as attracting and retaining corporate partners.

"What stood out to us about Sally is her track record of turning ambition into outcomes, whether that's doubling the size of Bendigo Kangan Institute in a short period of time, delivering major infrastructure projects, or modernising how the organisations she has led serve their communities.

"She is a passionate Essendon person and on behalf of the entire Board and our members, I am excited to have her skills and experience guide us through what is an exciting period for the Club as we grow, with some important decisions ahead."

Curtain said joining the Board was an easy decision.

“I’ve had a chance to meet almost all of the Directors now and I feel really privileged to be joining them, in all honesty,” Curtain said.

“They’re a very united group and I feel I can make a really good contribution. I’ve had a very diverse career as a regulator, a director in many organisations across disability and education services, economic development, major community infrastructure, sporting fields, you name it. 

“It’s probably a lifelong dream as I’ve been a Bomber for life. We had strong family friends who would shower my sister and I with Essendon merch and that was where the love for Essendon started. I’m looking forward to being part of turning this Club around.

"What stood out to me most during my decision making process was that whilst there has been intense commentary about the Club externally, internally I was impressed with how the Club has been handling that to remain strong and prioritise long term, strategic decision making. 

“That's the right mindset for members and supporters.”

Curtain fills a casual vacancy on the Board and will stand for re-election prior to the Annual General Meeting in December.