Lucy O’Flaherty wins the AIM Leadership Excellence Award for Not for Profit Leader of the Year for her work in the aged care sector in Tasmania.
Lucy O’Flaherty’s career in community services began more than 20 years ago, encompassing roles from practitioner to executive, and leading to her current role as chief executive of Glenview. Passionate about aged care, O’Flaherty’s focus is set on raising the bar in standards. She works tirelessly to create an inclusive community where people can live a good life now and into the future.
JUDGES
Catherine Day FAIM, principal, Catherine Day and Associates
Angela Gillespie, capability and development adviser, Indigenous Business Australia
Mark Brooke FAIM, CEO, Asthma Australia
Stephen Morgan, CFO, Cancer Council QLD
THE JUDGES SAY…
“Lucy set a very clear strategy for her organisation, transforming the way aged care is delivered, moving from welfare based to user pays. In her first 30 days, Lucy rolled up her sleeves and did shifts with carers, cleaners and nurses to understand the business. She introduced a commercial model to her organisation, making it a more sustainable business for the future. Lucy successfully introduced diversity, working closely with the LGBTI community as well as disability veterans and ethnic communities. Lucy is humble, listens and observes, and always asks for advice. Her view is: ‘If you ask for money you get advice. If you ask for advice you get money’.”

LUCY O’FLAHERTY
“The elders I work with have taught me the value of a smile in a hard time, the importance of staying true to your values and the importance to fight for those whose voices are muted by the wider community by their age. The elders give me my drive and my energy. They also pat me on the back when it goes well, as much as [they give me] a stern look when I could have done better. With no family in Australia I rely on their wisdom, humour and common sense regularly.
“The best leadership advice I could give others would be to ‘be yourself, everyone else is taken’! And never be afraid to learn. Don’t put barriers up for yourself by doubting yourself. Ask questions; you may be surprised.”
“The elders I work with have taught me the value of a smile in a hard time, the importance of staying true to your values and the importance to fight for those whose voices are muted by the wider community by their age.”