Media announcement – 01 November 2024
Girls and Boys Town South Africa Welcomes Karen Farred as New CEO
Girls and Boys Town South Africa (GBTSA), a well-established youth protection organisation with a 66-year legacy, is proud to announce the appointment of Karen Farred as its new Chief Executive Officer. Karen steps into this role following a two-decade career at GBTSA, where she has demonstrated her commitment to transforming the lives of vulnerable and at-risk youth across South Africa. With a wealth of experience and a deep passion for uplifting children and young people, Karen is poised to carry forward GBTSA’s legacy of healing broken hearts, empowerment and resilience.
Karen succeeds Ms Lee Loynes who served GBTSA tirelessly for thirty-one and a half years, serving in the position of CEO for the past seventeen years. Ms Loynes’s, leadership has ensured the longevity of GBTSA, and her legacy has been etched into the strong foundation of GBTSA. Ms Loynes’s, planned retirement and Karen’s appointment were carefully considered long-term strategies and succession planning managed by the GBTSA Board over the past two years.
Karen began her journey with GBTSA in 1999 as a social worker, bringing with her a BA in Social Work from the University of the Western Cape. Her journey of professional development and dedicated service saw her quickly progress to Assistant to the Child Care Manager in 2001. From 2008 to 2018, she led GBTSA’s Family Services, and for the past six years, she has been Head of Residential Services. Her commitment, expansive knowledge across all areas of youth care and profound connection with GBTSA staff, donors, policy makers and partners make her ideally suited to take on the role of CEO.
Throughout her career, Karen has been a versatile leader in child and youth care. Her experience spans counselling, programme design and management, conflict resolution, training, governance and regulatory compliance. Karen’s leadership is underpinned by her rigorous research, including studies on the treatment of Conduct Disorder and community crisis interventions. Her work has been recognised at psychiatric conferences and her contributions to youth care have been published in esteemed journals.
Karen is excited to build on GBTSA’s legacy of compassion and best youth-care practices, with a clear vision to expand programmes that give vulnerable youth the tools to grow, heal and S.H.I.N.E.®
“I am truly honoured to step into this role and continue the incredible work of GBTSA. Every child deserves to be seen, heard and supported and I am committed to making sure that GBTSA remains a beacon of hope for our beneficiaries and communities,” shared Karen Farred.
Under her leadership, GBTSA looks forward to strengthening its commitment to helping vulnerable youth thrive, providing safe spaces and fostering resilience and positive self-agency in young lives.