Our CEO

Paul Ronalds is one of Australia's leading voices on poverty eradication and international development.

His diverse background encompasses senior executive roles in government, the private sector and domestic and international non-government organisations (NGOs). From co-founding one of Australia's first online companies to assisting tsunami-affected people in Sri Lanka, Paul's experience gives him unique insights into some of the world's most significant social, economic and political challenges.

Paul joined Save the Children Australia as Chief Executive Officer in July 2013. He is committed to ensuring Save the Children lead the way in child rights, humanitarian response, healthcare and education – helping children everywhere fulfil their potential.

Prior to joining Save the Children, Paul was First Assistant Secretary responsible for the Office of Work and Family in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. In this role, Paul provided advice to the Prime Minister of Australia on a broad range of social and economic policies designed to support families and communities.

In the NGO sector, Paul worked for World Vision Australia as Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Director of Strategy. He was also Chief Operating Officer of Urban Seed, an innovative and dynamic NGO that provides a range of services to marginalised people in Melbourne's inner city.

Paul has worked as a corporate lawyer with international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills, and is the co-founder of wishlist.com.au, one of Australia's most successful e-commerce companies.

A graduate of the St James Ethics Centre's Vincent Fairfax Fellowship in Ethics and Leadership, Paul also has degrees in Economics and Law with Honours from Monash University, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and a Masters in International Relations from Deakin University.

He is the author of The change imperative: Creating a next generation NGO – a book that examines the challenges faced by international NGOs in a rapidly evolving global political context.

Paul enjoys playing basketball, cooking and hiking. He is married to Susannah and has three children.