Dr Ursula Stephens

Dr Ursula Stephens is CEO Of Australian Catholic Safeguarding Limited (ACSL). Ursula has a deep understanding of the social services sector, government relations and community services more broadly.

Dr Stephens was appointed as CEO of Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd in 2021.  ACSL is the national body established “to oversee safeguarding, child protection and professional standards matters” for the Catholic Church in Australia.

Prior to this Ursula served as CEO of Catholic Social Services Australia. Her role with Catholic Social Services Australia saw her speaking on behalf of vulnerable and marginalised people, as well as the hundreds of Catholic social service sites across the country that support them.

Ursula has extensive experience and a strong commitment to community service and social justice. She has much experience in advocacy, policy development and relationship building, alongside the knowledge she has gained through working within numerous Catholic organisations to lead ACSL in its national safeguarding role.

A former Australian politician, Ursula served as a Senator for New South Wales from 2002 to 2014, representing the Australian Labor Party. She was Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Ministers Rudd and Gillard from 2007 to 2010.