Dr Sonja Hood AM

Creating a sense of community and connection is front of mind for all of Dr Sonja Hood AM’s endeavours. 

Dr Hood is chief executive the Scanlon Foundation, and was previously chief executive of Community Hubs Australia – which aims to build social cohesion in Australia for those with diverse backgrounds – for nearly a decade. 

She is also the president of the North Melbourne Football Club, and has held numerous other roles within it, including general manager of community engagement. 

For her work, Dr Sonja Hood AM was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the community through social welfare organisations, and to sports administration. 

“People often think my two worlds – community and football – must be completely different, but in many ways they are not. Both of them rely, at their core, on connection – creating it, nurturing it, and building from it,” she says. 

“And that’s the greatest impact of the work that I’ve been lucky to be involved in – creating strong, connected, responsive organisations that in turn create strong communities.” 

Prior to these roles, Dr Hood was chair of McAuley Community Services for Women and director at the National Health and Medical Research Council. 

Dr Hood acknowledges the role of her colleagues in her achievements. 

“I’d like to thank all the Community Hub team across Australia, all the members of the mighty North Melbourne Football Club, and the army of volunteers I have worked with across a range of organisations who all give their time to make our community better,” she says. 

“In an age of isolation and disconnection, I’m motivated by the joy and strength that connection brings. 

“Everyone who comes to a community hub feels that connection. Everyone who belongs to a sporting club – even one that isn’t winning! - feels that connection.”