The Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jane Hodder as the next Chair of its Board.
Jane is a Partner at the global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer) and recently concluded a term as Managing Partner of the Melbourne office. She has been a partner at HSF Kramer for over 25 years, where she is a leader in the property and social infrastructure practice. Before being Managing Partner in Melbourne, Jane was the global co-partner head of diversity and served on the firm’s national and global boards.
Jane is a highly experienced and values-led Board Chair and Director. She brings deep expertise and governance experience to BSL, having served on and led Boards across a range of contexts, including in education, business and the community sector. Jane will be the first female Board Chair in the organisation’s 95-year history.
Joining the BSL Board and becoming Board Chair is a continuation of Jane’s lifelong connection to BSL which began as a child when her mother volunteered with the organisation and continued through BSL’s partnership with HSF Kramer, which developed further during Jane’s time as Managing Partner in Melbourne, when Jane also volunteered in BSL’s services.
With this background, Jane understands well BSL’s history and the role the organisation plays today as an independent social justice organisation. She has joined the Board and started a transition before formally taking on the role of Board Chair after the organisation’s AGM in November 2025.
Jane looks forward to working with our team and partners to support BSL to become a more impactful, integrated and contemporary organisation fit for the future. She is excited by BSL’s Strategy 2030 and the opportunity to advance our vision of an Australia free of poverty and our purpose of advancing a fair Australia through our leadership on policy reform, our partnerships with communities and the quality of our services.
“Jane Hodder believes strongly in BSL’s forward agenda and will be an astute leader of the Board as our organisation seeks to grow national ambition on poverty reduction,” said Stephen Newton AO, current BSL Board Chair. “I am delighted to be passing the baton on to Jane and very much looking forward to the contribution she will make.”
BSL Executive Director, Travers McLeod, echoed these sentiments and paid tribute to the contribution of outgoing BSL Board Chair, Stephen Newton AO.
“Jane’s enthusiasm for BSL’s work in communities and at the national level has been palpable since we met several years ago. We are very fortunate to be adding her expertise, experience and leadership to the BSL Board. I’m looking forward to working with Jane as she continues the outstanding work of Stephen Newton AO, who has been indefatigable in helping to guide and strengthen BSL through the pandemic and other pressures in the community sector, setting us up for even greater impact in the years ahead.”
Jane Hodder said she was thrilled to be taking on the role. "I am honoured to become Chair of the Brotherhood of St. Laurence, an organisation I love and have great respect for. I look forward to working with Board colleagues, Trav and the broader BSL team, and with our partners and supporters to advance BSL's purpose and help build a fairer Australia."
For media queries: Bridie Riordan M: 0491 159 256 or David Jeffery M: 0436 128 106
