The Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) has announced that Chief Executive Matt Linnegar will step down in November, after 12 years of leading the organisation. Former ARLF Partnerships Director, Philippa Woodhill is appointed as Interim Chief Executive.
Matt Linnegar, an alumni of the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP 7) joined the ARLF as Chief Executive in July 2014. During his tenure, Matt guided the Foundation through a period of significant expansion, innovation and successfully negotiated the COVID disruption. Under his leadership, the ARLF expanded its national footprint to deliver programs across more than 140 regions, grew the number of programs it offers and strengthened its active network to over 5,500 alumni and network members. His leadership also expanded the ARLF’s commitment to First Nations leadership through programs like Milparanga and established key partnerships in national resilience initiatives such as the Future Drought Fund.
Reflecting on his time leading the organisation, outgoing Chief Executive Matt Linnegar shared his pride in the foundation’s transformation and ongoing mission, “It has been an extraordinary privilege to lead the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation over the past 12 years,” he said. “Reflecting on our growth and the quality of programs I am incredibly proud of what our team and partners have contributed to rural, regional and remote Australia. The ARLF’s work of building leadership capacity across rural Australia is more vital than ever and I leave knowing the organisation has a strong foundation and a bright future.”
He will step into his next role as General Manager at Cotton Australia in November.
The Board has appointed Philippa Woodhill as Interim Chief Executive. Philippa brings over two decades of experience with the ARLF, having held multiple senior roles across the organisation. Notably, she previously served in the interim role prior to Matt’s arrival in 2014.
Philippa expressed her commitment to maintaining the organisation’s momentum during the transition, “I am honoured to step into the role of Interim Chief Executive to lead the ARLF,” she said. “Having worked alongside our partners, staff and alumni for more than 20 years, I look forward to maintaining our strong momentum as we progress the foundation’s next chapter as a national leadership hub for regional Australia.”
ARLF Board Chair Melissa Fletcher acknowledged Matt’s significant legacy, noting his lasting contribution to the foundation and to regional Australia: “The Board of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation wishes to acknowledge the outstanding contribution of Matt Linnegar, whose leadership has shaped this organisation for more than a decade.
Matt joined ARLF as one of our own alumni and brought a rare depth of understanding to the role, having lived the program himself before leading the organisation that shaped him. Under his stewardship, the Foundation strengthened its reach and its relevance to rural and regional communities right across the country.
Matt’s commitment went well beyond the responsibilities of the role. Every day, he showed up for the people ARLF exists to serve. His depth of knowledge of rural and regional Australia, and his advocacy for equity and access for these communities, is unmatched. The Board and our alumni community are deeply grateful for his leadership and for the standard he has set.
The Board is pleased to announce that Philippa Woodhill will step into the role of interim CEO, effective immediately.
Philippa’s relationships across our alumni network and stakeholders run deep. She served the Foundation for nineteen years before stepping away for two years to pursue other career development. That break has positioned her perfectly to return with fresh ideas and a renewed sense of purpose for the organisation.”
