First female CEO for Master Builders

The board of Master Builders Australia has announced the appointment of Denita Wawn as chief executive officer of MBA effective 20 March 2017.

Wawn will be Master Builders’ first female CEO in its 127-year history to represent the $200 billion building and construction industry and only the third CEO in 30 years.

In announcing Wawn’s appointment, the national president of Master Builders, Dan Perkins said, “Denita’s qualities, skills and experience as a highly accomplished industry leader and advocate saw her emerge as the successful candidate from the comprehensive recruitment process undertaken by the board.

“The board is confident that Mrs Wawn’s leadership will see the implementation of its vision for Master Builders as a modern, credible and influential national voice for its more than 32,000 members,” he said.

“Denita has impeccable credentials for success including her wealth of experience spearheading game-changing advocacy and industrial relations campaigns at the National Farmers Federation (NFF) and the Australian Hotels Association (AHA).

“As CEO of the Brewers Association of Australia and New Zealand, Denita implemented a highly successful reputational change strategy at a national and international level.

“Denita has spent the past 12 months as general manager operations at Master Builders, giving her a strong foundation to understand the issues impacting on Master Builders and our members.

“The board is excited by Mrs Wawn’s leadership and her strong grasp of the factors which drive success in industry associations, and her passionate commitment for standing up for the interests of members,” Perkins said.