The Nappy Collective, welcomes new CEO Nataly Bovopoulos

The Nappy Collective, a community-based not-for-profit initiative that supports women’s crisis shelters and refuges, mothers facing homelessness and community organisations by donating nappies which are no longer of use to more advantaged families, has announced the appointment of a new CEO, Nataly Bovopoulos.

The work of the collective will be familiar to some in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector, with many ECEC sites, such as Bruce Ridge Early Childhood Centre, serving as year round drop off points to support the work of the collective. 

Ms Bovopoulos is an experienced leader in the not-for-profit sector, with several years of experience in partnership development, strategic growth and building sustainability. She previously held the role as CEO of the internationally respected Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program. Nataly recently completed her PhD in population mental health at the University of Melbourne and serves as a member of the Board of racial equality charity All Together Now.

Ms Bovopoulos said she was honoured to be joining The Nappy Collective team, and that she is committed to growing the organisation so in order to reach its goal of delivering 1 million nappies annually to children experiencing nappy stress.  

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, at least 140,000 Australian families struggled with accessing enough nappies for their children every year. With the challenges posed by the pandemic, Ms Bovopoulos believes it is “more important than ever” for communities to mobilise to ensure the most vulnerable young families have the nappies they need. 

A spokesperson for the collective said the group was thrilled to welcome her on board, noting the breadth of experience and leadership in the social sector which Ms Bovopoulos brings to the role, along with her deep passion to support families and children in need.

“We would also like to acknowledge our inaugural CEO Lani Masuku, as she leaves us after two years, for her stewardship and for her direction in establishing our strategy and vision for The Nappy Collective over the next few years,” the spokesperson added. 

To learn more about the work of The Nappy Collective, including how ECEC services can support, please see here.