The Board of QPASTT today announces that Dr Ignacio Correa-Velez has resigned as Co-CEO to take up an opportunity to return to academia in the School of Public Health and Social Work at QUT.
Ignacio has been a close partner of QPASTT for many years, collaborating on research and projects that have highlighted the needs and aspirations of refugee survivors of torture and trauma and ensured QPASTT’s services are evidence-based. As Co-CEO since 2019, along with Jamila Padhee, Ignacio has played a critical role in QPASTT’s development, helping to shape a future-fit organisation that remains strongly focused on impact, innovation and advocacy to deliver our vision of refugee survivors living lives liberated from the harms of torture, trauma and human rights injustices.
Ignacio’s dedication and expertise has contributed to many of QPASTT’s recent accomplishments including:
- Co-leading QPASTT through the impact of COVID-19, ensuring our staff, clients and communities remained supported;
- The development of QPASTT’s strategic plan to 2024, clarifying our vision, purpose and strategic objectives; and
- The creation and implementation of QPASTT’s Research, Evaluation and Advocacy strategy.
QPASTT is deeply grateful for Ignacio’s longstanding commitment to the work of QPASTT and the strong and lasting relationships he has built with members of Queensland’s refugee communities, government, universities, and our settlement sector colleagues. While Ignacio will be dearly missed by the QPASTT staff and broader community, we wish him our heartfelt congratulations on his new role and we very much look forward to continuing a close relationship with Ignacio, both through ongoing research partnerships and as a member of the QPASTT alumni.
A message from Ignacio…
It’s been a true privilege to co-lead QPASTT over the past three years. Working with Jamila as co-CEOs has been an exceptional and rewarding experience. With her as the leader, QPASTT is in the safest hands to face any current and future challenges, and to continue providing quality services and programs to support healing, belonging, thriving and justice in partnership with individuals, families and communities from refugee backgrounds.
I leave QPASTT with the upmost respect for its board, leadership team, staff, communities, partners and stakeholders. My time as QPASTT Co-CEO has made me a better human being and will continue inspiring me in my academic life to ensure the broader Australian community, in particular the younger generations and future health professionals, are able to respond to the needs and aspirations of people from refugee backgrounds. Thank you everyone.
Ignacio will be working with QPASTT until mid-January 2022, after which Jamila Padhee will continue to lead QPASTT as CEO. If you have any questions, please get in touch with Jamila or Ignacio through the details below.
Please join QPASTT in congratulating Ignacio and sharing our gratitude and respect for his leadership and incredible commitment to his work, to QPASTT and to our clients and communities.
Yours sincerely
Professor Emeritus Keithia Wilson
Chair of QPASTT
Jamila Padhee
Co-CEO of QPASTT
JamilaPadhee@qpastt.org.au
Dr Ignacio Correa-Velez
Co-CEO of QPASTT
IgnacioCorrea-Velez@qpastt.org.au
