The Sunshine Coast Council’s Chief Executive Officer will finish in the job on June 14.
Emma Thomas started with the organisation in November 2020, with her focus at that time on helping the community and staff manage and overcome the challenges of COVID-19.
In a Council statement Ms Thomas said she is moving on, ready to explore new personal and career opportunities.
It said, from the outset one of the earliest priorities for Ms Thomas was rebuilding the culture of the Council organisation and creating a safe, nurturing workplace where people felt they could speak up and be heard.
She said any achievements since she came on board were the result of the professional and talented teams across Council.
Ms Thomas cited making the Sunshine Coast more accessible through accessibility mapping and universal design as one of the very interesting projects over the past few years that could lead to positive change.
She is grateful to the Kabi Kabi and Jinibara people for helping her and Council gain a stronger understanding of country.
“It has been very important for me during my time as Council’s CEO that our staff feel valued when they come to work, that they feel supported and comfortable when they speak up,” Ms Thomas said.
“Feeling included in the workplace, contributing as part of a team and having a sense of purpose, makes the enormous amount of time spent at work so much more enjoyable and fulfilling.
“To achieve that, the organisation’s culture values – Care, Respect, Trust, Curious and Connected – were built from the ground up making this a truly inclusive project.
Ms Thomas said the timing was right for herself and husband Peter to now explore new opportunities.
“We have made some very good friends here on the Sunshine Coast and I have enjoyed spending time with them,” she said.
“Peter and I love the Sunshine Coast and the natural environment is a central point in our lives here.
“I’m now very excited to see what awaits me as I continue my career journey and I wish the new Council and my colleagues all the very best,” she said.
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Rosanna Natoli said Ms Thomas’s leadership style was one of living and leading by example.
“Kindness and empathy are Emma’s core values and that has shone through as I’ve settled into office,” Mayor Natoli said.
An interim CEO will be announced before she finishes next month.
