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Summer Housing Appoints Melinda van der Westhuizen as CEO


Summer Housing today announced the appointment of Melinda van der Westhuizen as Chief Executive Officer.

Melinda joins Summer Housing from ISPT where she has served as General Manager, Commercial Services, leading the operational, strategic and investment management of a $10 billion portfolio of office and education assets on behalf of industry superannuation investors.  Prior to this role, Melinda accumulated extensive experience in property investment and asset management.

The Chairman of Summer Housing, Mr Simon McKeon AO said: “Following an extensive search, the board is delighted to appoint Melinda as Summer Housing’s new CEO. We look forward to working with her to take the organisation to the next level and to continue to meet the accommodation needs of those who live with a disability.

Melinda’s authentic leadership capability, broad property expertise and values alignment is an ideal fit for Summer Housing as we look to grow and diversify our product offering and successfully manage our substantial national specialist disability accommodation portfolio.”

Ms van der Westhuizen said “I am thrilled to be joining Summer Housing to combine my passion for purpose with more than 25 years of property executive experience. Summer Housing has pioneered a new approach to investment in high quality housing choices for people with disability and with strong support from impact investors, has re-set the standard in this growth sector.  I am proud to be appointed CEO of Summer Housing to lead the team, work with the Board and financiers to continue to build scale and expand the model of creating homes and changing lives.”

Melinda will commence with Summer Housing in November 2021 taking over from Summer Housing Chief Operating Officer Queenie Tran who has been acting in this role since 1 September 2021.  The Board thanks Queenie for her important contribution in this period.