The CEO of the Little Eden Society, Xelda Rohrbeck, has stepped down from her position due to medical and health-related reasons.Little Eden Society’s board announced this news on August 5.
Little Eden’s public relations and communications co-ordinator, Gaahele Mokgoro, said the announcement came shortly after the society’s 56th AGM in July.
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Rohrbeck joined Little Eden in 2008 and took up the leadership reins in 2018 after the previous CEO, Lucy Slaviero, resigned.
Having worked with Slaviero for several years, Rohrbeck developed and honed the skills needed for the position of CEO.
Rohrbeck, who is married to a grandson of the society’s founders, was the leader of the 57-year-old organisation for the past six years.
She took over the reins in September 2018 but had joined the society 10 years earlier.
When she was appointed CEO in 2018, Rohrbeck told the Bedfordview and Edenvale News she was proud and excited to be entrusted with a chance to take over the reins.
She said that, over the years, Slaviero had been an inspiration and had helped her prepare for the role.
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“The decision to resign was immensely difficult and emotional to make. The mission of Little Eden is underpinned in the depths of my heart,” said Rohrbeck.
During her time as CEO, the society’s facilities grew from strength to strength with the help of donors and the community.
The society installed and started using solar power, built a medical wing at the Edenvale home and did various renovations to improve the facilities for the residents.
The upgrades began in late 2020 after the society received a generous donation from an overseas anonymous donor.
The primary objective was to reconfigure and upgrade the facilities to benefit the residents’ changing needs and the society’s long-term sustainability.
“I am compelled to step down for the benefit of my health and family. I do not doubt that those left behind will continue to hold up high the society’s core values and treasure the legacy left behind by our founders.”
She thanked the Little Eden board members for their support and guidance during her tenure and also thanked the Little Eden team.
“They helped me hold up the fort through the organisation’s various challenges and milestones during my reign.
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“I further thank all the valuable supporters and donors of this precious organisation for believing in the value of the work of the society and those of people with profound disabilities. I encourage and plea for your continued support.”
Rohrbeck will remain in her position for the coming months as the society’s board starts the recruiting and appointing process for her successor.
