Liz Mansour appointed as ADM’s Chief of Staff

ADM is pleased to announce the appointment of Liz Mansour as Chief of Staff.

The role of Chief of Staff is probably most familiar to people as a political position – the role occupied by Leo McGarry in The West Wing, for example! For politicians, most Chiefs of Staff act as a buffer or filter, protecting the chief executive from getting involved in the minutiae of day-to-day business.

But as a consultant, project manager and implementer, the ADM Chief of Staff role has been primarily designed to help break down silos between ministries and ensure that ADM’s strategic priorities are progressing.

  • The Chief of Staff will serve as:

  • air traffic controller for the CEO and the senior team;

  • an integrator connecting work streams that would otherwise remain siloed;

  • a communicator linking the leadership team and the broader organization;

  • an honest broker and truth teller when the leader needs a wide-ranging view without turf considerations;

  • and as a confidant to the CEO without an organisational agenda.

With 16 years of experience at the Sydney University Evangelical Union (EU)  — comprising both training ministry apprentices as well as strategic fund development — Liz brings a wealth of competence to the newly created role. She is delighted to be able to bring her rich skill set to ADM, to glorify God and serve his people, in particular his women.

Growing up in a Christian family, Liz has had a firm faith for many years. 

“When I was in my teens, I had a real sense that you don't get in through your parents’ faith. Following Jesus is something that you need to count the cost of and truly believe in and trust in,” Liz explains. “When I was about 16, that was a bit of a turning point where I got more involved in the school Christian group and took my Sunday identity to the whole week, in a more deliberate sense.”

Post-school, Liz completed a double degree in Arts and Commerce before taking on a role with the Australian Energy Regulator. After a few years she decided to pause her work in that sector to undertake a ministry apprenticeship with the EU.

Liz shares, “I always felt the challenge to consider a ministry apprenticeship and to contribute to the university ministry which I was so richly blessed by. I also wanted to build on my ministry leadership experience and develop those skills in a way that would serve the church long-term.”

Liz then spent a year studying at Moore College before taking up a staff role with EU, which morphed from training apprentices to special projects in strategic fund development and connecting with the supporter community.

Liz’s experience has spanned everything from fundraising to major project management, pastoral care and Bible teaching to team leadership and mentoring. In the large EU staff team she has played a core role in ensuring the ongoing efficacy of campus ministry at the University of Sydney.

ADM CEO Mary Un is grateful that Liz felt called to, and accepted, the role of Chief of Staff. “I was looking for a candidate who could provide me with honest counsel, work to empower and enable staff at ADM, and develop efficient systems and processes across the organisation. Liz is fiercely intelligent and emotionally astute, and we bring different, but complimentary skills to the leadership of ADM. I am honoured that she is willing to serve our Lord Jesus here with me at ADM.”

Liz is looking forward to, as she puts it, being “a really excellent sidekick for what Mary is doing as CEO.” She’s excited to help ensure that each of ADM’s programs have what they need to keep flourishing as they serve Christian women. She’s also excited about working with the team as they continue to grapple with what it looks like to be ADM in the 21st century, building on its rich history.

Liz won’t deny that she’s feeling nervous excitement about all the unknowns of this new season of life for her and her family. She’s anticipating lots of humility as she takes time to learn the ropes — or in her words, learning to “be comfortable with looking like I've got no idea for a while!” She would appreciate prayer as she seeks to rest in God’s strength and his enabling during the entire process.  

Another prayer request from Liz is in relation to her specific role. She would love for you to ask God to help her be the best possible support to Mary.

“She's doing a great job as CEO,” Liz explains, “Thank God for Mary and pray that I can be a good person to help her.”

We know that the ministry of ADM to date has been possible because of the prayers of many of our supporters. Please give thanks with us for the way God has led us so far. And please continue to pray most of all that God will continue to bless this work as we seek to see women raised up to serve the Lord in their contexts.

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