Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) is proud to announce the election of Sarah Petersen FCA as Chair of the CA ANZ Board, succeeding John Palermo FCA, whose five-year tenure as Chair has been marked by transformational change for the organisation.

Sarah has served as both a CA ANZ Board Director and member of the NZICA Regulatory Board since 2020 and as Chair of the People and Remuneration Committee (PARC) since 2023. She will step down as PARC Chair to take up her new role and focus on driving momentum toward equipping members for a future shaped by sustainability and artificial intelligence (AI). 

Mr Palermo will remain a Board Director until the end of his term on 31 December 2026. 

Ainslie van Onselen, CA ANZ Chief Executive Officer said: 

"On behalf of the executive team and everyone at CA ANZ, I thank John for the integrity, vision, and dedication to our members that underpinned his outstanding Board leadership as we championed initiatives that elevated member engagement, reinforced sustainability and innovation, and upheld the highest standards of professional conduct.  

“Whether on the Board, in meetings with members or with other professional accountancy organisations around the world, John’s sound advice, calmness and warmth was appreciated by all. 

“I look forward to working with Sarah, the Board and Council to deliver our strategy to 2030. Her extensive experience across public practice, not-for-profit, government, and property and infrastructure has already enriched our Board, and she steps into the Chair role with the full support of my executive team and Board Directors.”  

Sarah Petersen FCA, incoming Board Chair said: 

“I am thrilled to be elected Chair as CA ANZ continues its work to prepare our profession for its transformational future. 

My priorities are to maintain the strategic momentum created under the leadership of my predecessor, John Palermo FCA, uphold ethics and trust in our profession, and equip members with practical capabilities in areas like sustainability and AI. 

I’m honored to serve our global community of more than 140,000 members and will work closely with my exceptional Board colleagues, Councillors, and the Executive Team to take our plan to 2030 forward.” 

John Palermo FCA, outgoing Board Chair said: 

“It has been a privilege to serve as Chair and to work with an outstanding Board, Executive, and Council that strongly represents our member voice. 

With our new strategy now locked in until 2030, following the achievements of the 2020–2025 strategy, I am delighted to hand the baton to Sarah, whose leadership, experience, and commitment to our members is second to none.” 

Ms Petersen’s appointment makes her the first woman to lead the Board alongside Chief Executive Officer, Ainslie van Onselen and Naomi Walsh FCA who serves as President for 2026.