Jacinta Reddan steps down as CEO of Advance Cairns
Cairns, October 29, 2025: Jacinta Reddan has resigned as CEO of Advance Cairns to lead Australia’s leading cancer charity.
After three highly successful years at the helm of Advance Cairns, Ms Reddan has been appointed CEO of Cancer Council Australia, the nation’s leading cancer charity focused on prevention, research and support.
Advance Cairns chairman Nick Trompf said the organisation had mixed feelings regarding the appointment.
“On the one hand, Advance Cairns is disappointed to lose someone of Jacinta’s calibre but, on the other, the FNQ region should be proud that one of its leaders will now lead a significant national organisation which is so vital in the prevention and research into one of Australia’s most serious illnesses,” Mr Trompf said.
“Jacinta’s extensive experience in both Australia and Hong Kong has been highly valuable to Advance Cairns. Over more than three years as our CEO, she has played a pivotal role in securing major bi-partisan comments across both federal and state elections, and at the same time, has been the driver of reinvigorating local government engagement and support of Advance Cairns and our advocacy.
“Jacinta also led a future-focused strategic body of economic work, Roadmap 2035: A Framework to Strengthen FNQ, developed over more than two years through extensive engagement with stakeholders across the far north.
“The framework lays out a high-level blueprint to capitalise on the many economic strengths and opportunities for what is now the most populated region in northern Australia as it nears 300,000 permanent residents.”
Ms Reddan said: “It has been an honour to lead the region which entrusted me, a newcomer, to take the helm of a highly-respected organisation in Advance Cairns. I am really proud of the work we are doing with our key stakeholders which underpins our success and highlights the strength of our unity of purpose. Our ambition for the region is bold and rooted in opportunity.
“To head up the world-leading work of Cancer Council Australia is an extraordinary privilege. No one is untouched by cancer. I am excited that I will be working with federation colleagues and stakeholders across the nation in the prevention of cancer and to carry on the outstanding public awareness campaigns that have become the hallmark of this beloved organisation.”
With Ms Reddan finishing in mid-December, Advance Cairns will this week begin its recruitment process for a new CEO.
Mr Trompf said: “The Advance Cairns CEO role is one of the most influential positions in our region and I’m confident we will attract a range of high quality applicants.
“Indeed, as we saw with Jacinta, the role appeals to top-level executives not only with national but international experience.”
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