Dementia Australia Chair, Professor Graeme Samuel AC and CEO, Maree McCabe AM have notified the Board of the end of their tenure, after 10 and 7 years respectively. 
  
Prof Samuel will be ending his term as the chair of Dementia Australia at the 23 November Annual General Meeting in accordance with the organisation's constitution. 

Ms McCabe notified the Board in March that after 13 years of leadership, she would complete her role as CEO of Dementia Australia from 1 July 2024.   

Both leaders will leave the organisation after a decade of change marked by the unification of the former federated body, the ever-increasing inclusion of the voices of people living with dementia, their families and carers, the impact of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, and the resulting $229.4 million investment in dementia care by the federal government for the expansion of services.  

Prof Samuel said he would be finishing up as Chair of Dementia Australia and will remain involved and connected with Dementia Australia and associated entities continuing as Chair of Dementia Australia Research Foundation, the Australian Dementia Network (ADNet) and the National Comprehensive Dementia Centres (NCDC).  

“I am immensely proud of everything we have created and achieved as Dementia Australia,” Prof Samuel said.  

"My inspiration to become involved was as a tribute to and in memory of my mother Shirley who had dementia. As a family we valued the support we received through the wonderful counselling and access to programs that made a difference to our lives.   

Ms McCabe said as CEO of Dementia Australia and the former Alzheimer’s Australia Vic she has continually been inspired by the many passionate and dedicated people she has worked with – including staff, people living with dementia, their families and carers, Dementia Australia Patrons, Ambassadors and Honorary Medical Advisors, volunteers, colleagues in the health and aged care sectors, Federal and State Government Departments, eminent medical professionals and researchers, philanthropic supporters and donors – who are dedicated to improving the health, lifestyle and care outcomes for all people impacted by dementia.  

“Throughout I have also always been impressed by the genuine commitment by all the federal, state and territory Ministers we have worked with who have used their influence to bring about once-in-a-generation changes to our system of dementia care,” Ms McCabe said.