Kerry Kornhauser OAM was inducted into the Rotary Club of Melbourne in 2017.
Kerry is not new to Rotary and is respected as a great support to Rotary District 9800 Clubs. She joined the Rotary Club of Albert Park in 2008 and has worked tirelessly in many projects for the Albert Park Club, and for District 9800.
She has received a Royce Abbey Award, Paul Harris Sapphire Award and held a variety of Rotary Board positions leading up to her Presidency at Albert Park in 2011-2012.
Kerry has a background in the advertising industry, including positions with two major advertising agencies: Clemengers and George Patterson. After joining forces with her brother and father, Kerry was then involved in the creation of the largest private hospital chain at that time in Victoria: Australian Health Resources.
The next move was into hospitality and Kerry took a major role in the company that owned and managed corporate hotels in Melbourne, winning many awards for innovative ideas in providing excellence to hotel guests.
In her personal life, Kerry contributes to several volunteer organizations. In 2008, she was invited to Chair the first Sudanese Women’s Conference, which she notes – though very successful – was also “very challenging” as the Sudanese women at that time were socially disenfranchised.
In 2012, Women in Rotary was born and changed the face of gender balance in the District. Kerry instigated this and is obviously proud of the Women in Rotary International Women’s Day Breakfast, which now seats over 1,200 men, women and senior students and raises over $50,000, while at the same time showcasing Rotary. This successful Breakfast is now in its seventh year!
Her dedication and passion for projects which respect the diverse roles of women in Rotary and our world continues in strategic initiatives, such as her personal mission to increase the 17% of women in our Rotary District five years ago to 30%. At present it is sitting on 28%.
Recently, Kerry joined the Bridge of Hope’s “White Dove” movement working to help vulnerable girls and young women as they exit from the State care and youth justice systems. This organization is trying to create a positive difference and influence in the lives of these vulnerable young women.
Kerry sits on the Violence Free Families Board, Safe Futures Board and Road Traffic Support Services Victoria and was awarded an OAM in the Australia Day Awards of 2017. Kerry is an Assistant Governor in District 9800.
The Age “Spectrum” wrote an article that may be found on this website: http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/lunch-with-kerry-kornhauser-20170509-gw15yr.html
