One Roof, a prominent national community for Australian women entrepreneurs, has announced a significant leadership transition after nearly a decade. Founder Sheree Rubinstein is stepping down, appointing Frances Goh, the organization's long-serving Head of Community and Growth, as the new Chief Executive Officer. This change marks a pivotal new chapter for the organization as it continues its mission to support women-led ventures across the country.
A Founder's Legacy and New Beginnings
After guiding One Roof through its evolution from a physical co-working space to a dynamic digital community, Sheree Rubinstein's departure follows months of careful deliberation. While stepping down as CEO to focus on her growing family and a new role, she will remain an integral advisor. Rubinstein has joined Australian telehealth provider Hellomello as general manager, where she will concentrate on advancing women's health.
A Natural Successor Takes the Helm
Frances Goh's appointment is a natural progression, following five years of dedicated service where she was described by Rubinstein as her "right hand." She was instrumental in navigating the company's digital transformation, launching successful initiatives like the Startup Women Summit and the One Roof Women’s National Conference. Her deep involvement and proven leadership make her the ideal person to carry the organization's legacy forward into its next phase.
A Vision for National Growth and Support
As the new CEO, Goh plans to focus on expanding One Roof’s national footprint and significantly deepening its membership offerings. Her vision involves creating a clear, practical pathway for women at every stage of their business journey, from initial ideation to raising capital and scaling globally. This strategy aims to strengthen access to capital, expert advisory, and international networks for the community's diverse members.
Strategic Alliances in a Shifting Ecosystem
This leadership change coincides with a new strategic alliance for One Roof, which will now assume stewardship of SBE Australia’s early-stage programs, Explore and Evolve. This collaboration with scale-up advisory firm March Collective builds upon SBE's decade-long legacy of backing women founders in Australia. Under the new structure, One Roof will focus on early-stage community support, while March Collective will assist with strategic advice and capital raising.
The move is particularly timely given the heightened scrutiny over support for women founders within the Australian startup ecosystem. The recent scrapping of Victoria's standalone startup agency, LaunchVic, which ran a dedicated co-investment fund for women, has created a notable support gap. One Roof's expanded role underscores the growing importance of community-led initiatives in championing female entrepreneurship and providing essential resources.
The appointment of Frances Goh as CEO signifies a pivotal yet seamless evolution for One Roof, ensuring the continuity of its core mission to empower female founders. With a clear vision for growth, strategic new partnerships, and a leader deeply embedded in the community, the organization is well-positioned for its next chapter. One Roof's commitment to women entrepreneurs remains steadfast as it strengthens its role as a vital pillar in the Australian business landscape.