“High calibre” individuals join leading animal welfare charity at critical time
RSPCA South Australia is delighted to announce the appointment of two new board members – Julie George and Ron Baker – whose combined skills and experience will be huge assets as the organisation prepares for major changes in 2024.
Julie has over 25 years’ experience in corporate and agency marketing roles having previously run branding and marketing agency, Algo Mas, before it was acquired by Them Advertising in early 2023. She is currently the Strategy and Growth Director at Them and a member of the UDIA (Urban Development Institute of Australia) SA Diversity in Development Committee.
A Telstra Business Woman finalist, Julie’s past Board roles include the State Library of South Australia Foundation and Feast Festival. She is passionate about lifting the bar on animal welfare in SA, and is looking forward to using her marketing expertise to achieve the best possible outcomes for all animals that come into RSPCA SA care.
Ron Baker is a veterinarian with extensive experience over the last 30 years owning and managing veterinary practices. From 2019-2022 Ron was General Manager of the Specialist and Emergency Hospital Division of Greencross, a national veterinary and pet services business with 20 vet hospitals and 750 veterinary and administrative staff. In 2022 he stepped back from veterinary work to begin his own consultancy as a business and leadership coach.
A former state president of the Australian Veterinary Association (SA branch) and member of the AVA Practice Management Committee, Ron has also contributed to numerous boards and committees outside the veterinary field, including the Spina Bifada and Hydrocephalus Association (SA).
At home, Ron balances family life with his menagerie of a Schnauzer dog, tortoise, cockatiel and three guinea pigs.
RSPCA SA CEO Marcus Gehrig has welcomed the appointments as timely ahead of the organisation’s relocation in April to a new, purpose-built animal care campus at O’Halloran Hill.
“We are extremely fortunate to have attracted such high calibre individuals as Julie and Ron to join our board, extending the strong skillset and experience of current board members,” Marcus said.
“Julie’s extensive background in marketing and Ron’s experience in veterinary science as well as business and leadership, perfectly complete our board’s diversity of skills to drive strategy for the coming years.
“They’re joining us at an exciting pivotal point in RSPCA South Australia’s almost 150-year history as we prepare to relocate to our purpose-built new base within Glenthorne National Park at O’Halloran Hill.”
