A Message from our Chair – Allan McGill

On behalf of the Venture Housing Board, I am very pleased to announce that Venture Housing has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer – Timothy Sunwoo. Timothy (Tim) will commence at Venture on Monday 6th January 2025.

Tim brings extensive strategic, finance and investment, business improvement, operational and housing expertise gained from the corporate and not for profit sectors, in the USA and more recently in Australia. Tim has been CEO of Havelock Housing in the ACT for the last three years and prior, was the CEO of the Windgap Foundation, where he led development projects in disability housing. Tim is a collaborative leader with a track record of delivering housing solutions and commercial and financial partnerships through strong relationships and negotiating. He holds a
Masters of International Affairs (Business and Finance), from Columbia University; a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern; and is a Director on YWCA NSW, and a committee member of CHIA ACT.

Tim is excited about his move from Canberra to the NT, and keen to experience all that the Territory has to offer. He sees this as a unique opportunity to continue to make an impact in the community housing sector in a new and challenging environment, with a value aligned organisation where community and connectedness are foundational in achieving its purpose. He said, “Leading people is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects to my career: to develop people; build alliances across the community; build the next generation of leaders; and show pride in the services delivered to and with the community.”

The Venture Housing Board thanks departing CEO Karen Walsh for her outstanding leadership of Venture since early 2021. During this time Venture has diversified its tenant base and grown its portfolio by over 300%, including the delivery of sixteen new owned homes, and another forty-nine in the pipeline for 2025 completion. Karen has been instrumental in Venture’s elevation to a Tier 1 community housing provider and its recognition as a leading Territory provider. During her time in the Territory Karen provided sectoral leadership as Chair of Community Housing Industry (CHIA) NT, a Director on the CHIA Board and UDIA NT Committee, and NT Housing Alliance member. We wish Karen
every success as she relocates back to Sydney and pursues new opportunities in the housing space.

The Board is very cognisant of the impacts of this change on Venture, its staff and stakeholders and has developed a model of support to provide organisational oversight, and to support the staff during the five week period between Karen Walsh, transition to a part time arrangement as CEO and Tim commencing, in the form of a Transitional Committee and active presence by Darwin based board members in Venture’s office