Dr Ursula Stephens

Dr Ursula Stephens is CEO Of Australian Catholic Safeguarding Limited (ACSL). Prior to joining ACSL, Dr Stephens was CEO of Catholic Social Services Australia where she was the voice for vulnerable and marginalised people, as well as the hundreds of Catholic social service sites across the country that support them.

Ursula served for 12 years in the Australian Parliament as a Senator for New South Wales from 2002 to 2014.  She was Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Prime Minister for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector in the Rudd Government.  As a member of the Executive, she chaired senior government Committees, including the Joint Standing Committee on Human Rights.  After leaving Parliament, Ursula was the inaugural Chair of the Fundraising Institute Australia’s Code Authority and is a Director of the Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Non-Profit studies.

Ursula has extensive experience and a deep understanding of the social services sector, social policy development, government relations and community services more broadly. Her background includes civil duties, adult and community education, small business, community and regional development, public policy and administration. She holds a PhD in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Education.

Dr Stephens is also an active member of her local parish community where she chairs the Canberra-Goulburn Archdiocese committee overseeing the restoration of the historic Goulburn cathedral.