Women’s Health Matters is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Ahmed as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking an exciting new chapter for the organisation as it continues to champion better health and wellbeing outcomes for women and gender-diverse people.
Sarah brings extensive leadership experience across health policy, advocacy, community engagement, and systems reform. She is widely recognised for her commitment to equity, evidence-informed policy, and ensuring that lived experience remains central to health system design and decision-making.
As CEO, Sarah will lead Women’s Health Matters in advancing its mission to improve women’s health and wellbeing through advocacy, policy influence, research, education, and partnerships across the health and social sectors.
Manasi Ahuja, Chair of Women’s Health Matters, said Sarah’s appointment comes at a critical time for women’s health in the ACT and Australia.
“Sarah brings a powerful combination of strategic leadership, deep sector knowledge, and a strong commitment to health equity. Her appointment positions Women’s Health Matters to strengthen its impact and continue driving meaningful change in women’s health and wellbeing policy and practice.”
The appointment comes amid growing recognition of the need to address persistent inequities in women’s health, including access to care, prevention, chronic disease management, reproductive health, mental health, primary prevention of domestic, family, and sexual violence, and the broader social determinants of health.
Sarah said she was honoured to take on the role.
“I am honoured to be joining Women’s Health Matters at a time when the case for investing in women’s health has never been clearer. I have spent the majority of my career in community health, and I know how much it matters to have an organisation that backs its advocacy with evidence and lived experience. WHM has built a strong platform, and my job now is to keep pushing on it, alongside our team, our partners, and the communities we serve.”
Under Sarah’s leadership, Women’s Health Matters will continue to focus on advancing policies and initiatives that improve access, quality, and equity in health care, while ensuring women’s lived experiences shape reform.
Women’s Health Matters thanks outgoing CEO Lauren Anthes for her leadership and contribution to the organisation. Under Lauren’s stewardship, Women’s Health Matters attained a stronger financial footing, generated cutting-edge new research including the Survey of Women’s Health in the ACT, implemented new leading programs such as Victim Survivor Voices, Reproductive Health Data Incentive Fund and Health in My Language, and forged new and lasting partnerships.