Former PBL Media senior media executive Arabella Gibson is the new CEO of the Gidget Foundation Australia, a not for profit supporting the emotional wellbeing of new parents and their families.
Gibson brings with her a wealth of business, marketing and communication skills and experience gained during a successful corporate media career in Australia and the UK that has spanned more than 20 years.
Most recently, Arabella was General Manager for iSUBSCRiBE, an online magazine subscription business, based in London. Prior to this, Arabella was the director of communications for PBL Media (2005 – 2008) as well as its subsidiary businesses the Nine Network Australia and Bauer Media. Arabella was promoted to this role having held the position of Group Public Relations & Media Manager for ACP Magazines (now Bauer Media), responsible for the PR and communication of over 80 titles.
Before joining ACP Magazines, Arabella was General Manager – Marketing & Sales for Australian icon brand, RM Williams, for 5 years, managing both the local and international branding and retail businesses.
Arabella began her media career in PR which led to a role as General Manager of leading public relations firm, Colvin Communications International. Her roster of clients included Louis Vuitton, Krug Champagne, the Leading Hotels of the World, MAC cosmetics, the Cointreau Ball, ACP Magazines and RM Williams among many others.
Gibson takes over the role from founding CEO Catherine Knox, who moves onto the Gidget Foundation board with obstetrician and board chair, Dr Vijay Roach. Gibson knows she has big shoes to fill but is confident her international business experience, not to mention her life experience raising five-year-old twins, will help her steer the organisation into the next stage of its exciting journey to raise awareness of this important cause.
“I’m really happy to be joining the Gidget Foundation as it continues to grow from strength to strength,” says Gibson. “Having spent much of my career working in the corporate environment, this just feels like the right fit for me for the future and I’m really looking forward to using my business skills to drive the Foundation forward. Furthermore, having a personal connection with Gidget’s family, means my passion to make a real difference to people’s lives feels even greater.”
Pregnancy brings joy along with challenges. The Gidget Foundation recognises the importance of emotional wellbeing and the need to provide services to support parents. Previously known as postnatal depression, anxiety and depression during pregnancy and early parenthood (the perinatal period) affects almost 100,000 Australians each year, or 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers. Gidget was the nickname of a vibrant young mother who took her own life while suffering postnatal depression. She hid her suffering from even her loving family and friends. They created the Gidget Foundation determined that what happened to Gidget would not happen to others.
Today, the Gidget Foundation helps hundreds of expectant parents and their families each year through its free psychological services at Gidget House in North Sydney and the Emotional Wellbeing Program for pregnant women at North Shore Private Hospital and the Mater Hospital. The Foundation provides training for health professionals, supports research, develops resources and has established workplace awareness programs.
The Gidget Foundation relies solely on philanthropic donations. The annual Ladies’ Lunch fundraiser and bloke’s Rugby Lunch, as well as several new initiatives on the Gidget Foundation’s 2017 fundraising calendar, will be announced over the coming months. To get involved or to donate, please visit the website or call the hotline.
