Essendon Football Club Appoints Business Leader Sally Curtain to Board of Directors

The Essendon Football Club has appointmented Sally Curtain to its Board of Directors. Curtain, a lifelong supporter of the club, brings an extensive professional background spanning business advocacy, education, local government, and public sector management to the boardroom.

Currently serving as the CEO of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Curtain’s appointment is seen as a key step in guiding the club through a pivotal period of growth and organisational change.

Essendon president, Andrew Welsh, lauded the appointment, noting that Curtain’s professional trajectory aligns precisely with the club’s long-term vision.

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

“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,” Welsh said. 

Curtain’s resume includes significant executive leadership roles, notably as the CEO of the Bendigo Kangan Institute, and senior positions within the Department of Justice, the City of Casey, and VicRoads. According to Welsh, her ability to turn strategic ambition into tangible outcomes, ranging from infrastructure delivery to the modernisation of community-focused organisations, was the deciding factor for the Board.

Reflecting on her appointment, Curtain expressed enthusiasm for contributing to the club’s strategic trajectory.

“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.”

“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,” Curtain said. 

Curtain also addressed the club’s external environment, noting her confidence in the board’s internal stability and focus.

“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 will fill a casual vacancy on the Board and will stand for re-election ahead of the Annual General Meeting in December,” she added.

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