SSI welcomes new Board Chair Peter van Vliet

Leading refugee resettlement and multicultural services provider SSI has welcomed Peter van Vliet as its new Board Chair. 

Mr van Vliet, who is the current CEO of the Migration Institute of Australia, takes on the position from Voula Messimeri AM MAICD, who is stepping down from the SSI Board after four years, the majority of which she served as Chair. Mr van Vliet’s tenure will begin on July 1.

With a long career working in social services, in social policy and with migrant and refugee communities, Mr van Vliet holds a Master of Arts, a Graduate Diploma in Corporate Governance and a Graduate Diploma in Migration Law. He is a Member of the Australian Institute of For Purpose Leaders (MAIFPL) and is a registered migration agent.

 
Mr van Vliet has worked as a senior executive in the Commonwealth and Victorian governments and has led several other community organisations including the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia and the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria. Mr van Vliet, who joined the SSI Board in November 2023, was previously the CEO of International Social Service Australia, a non-profit specialising in legal, mediation and social work services for children and families across borders.

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis congratulated Mr van Vliet on his appointment as Board Chair and thanked Ms Messimeri for her strategic leadership over the past four years.

“SSI is extremely fortunate to have a dedicated and experienced Board of Directors who understand the challenges faced by our sector and are passionate about providing strategic leadership to our organisation,” Ms Roumeliotis said.

“Mr van Vliet has a deep understanding of social policy and migration law and much experience as a senior executive leader. SSI’s own executive team is very much looking forward to working with him, harnessing his insight, experience and skills to do the very best for our clients and communities.”

Ms Roumeliotis said Ms Messimeri had served tirelessly as Board Chair since December 2021, taking over at a time when the social services sector was in the throes of COVID-19 and pandemic-driven international border closures had caused prolonged uncertainty for the organisation.

“Ms Messimeri’s wealth of experience from the community and multicultural services sector brought to SSI a vision and careful stewardship that helped us adapt and emerge stronger than ever,” she said.

“With the full confidence of the Board and staff, Ms Messimeri has helped strengthen SSI and contributed greatly towards helping us achieve the organisation’s social mission.

“It has been an absolute pleasure working with her as Board Chair and Director, and we thank her for the amazing contributions she has made since February 2021. From everyone at SSI, we wish her all the best in her future endeavours.”