The Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC) is pleased to announce the appointment of a General Manager for Central Australia’s peak environmental organisation.

Jade Kudrenko will become the General Manager of ALEC as the dedicated and long-standing Chief Executive Officer, Jimmy Cocking departs this June.

Chair of the ALEC Board, Barb Molanus, welcomes Jade to her new role, saying, "The ALEC Board has confidence in our decision to appoint Jade and we are looking forward to this new chapter of our strong and capable organisation."

A lifelong Central Australian, Jade brings experience in advocating and working for the healthy futures of arid lands and its people, having held operational and leadership positions within the Natural and Cultural Resource Management, Local Government and Aboriginal Employment sectors.

On being appointed Jade said, “I am thrilled to be joining such a highly respected organisation. Recognising over 40 years of dedicated advocacy and remarkable leadership within ALEC, I’m honoured to be continuing the good work of Jimmy and the many supporters of ALEC at this increasingly critical time. Red sand runs through my veins and I am here to support our communities to maintain advocacy and action to protect our water, climate, community and desert ecosystems.”

The past few years have seen ALEC grow in breadth, depth and impact, with the growing success of its social enterprise, Arid Edge Environmental Services; as a partner of the Indigenous-led 10 Deserts Project; the establishment of a new Community Garden in Gillen; and a contract to lead Alice Springs Future Grid’s community engagement activities.

“ALEC has also undertaken a review of its Strategic Plan which builds on a strong foundation of advocacy, campaigning and community involvement laid over many years,” said Barb.

“These are exciting times for ALEC and the Board looks forward to working with Jade toward ALEC’s vision of ‘healthy futures for arid lands and people.”