Asylum Seekers Centre announces Elijah Buol OAM as new CEO

The Asylum Seekers Centre is delighted to announce the appointment of Elijah Buol OAM as its new CEO. 

Elijah brings a mix of lived and professional experience, a track record of successful campaigning, and a deep commitment to supporting people seeking asylum to the role, alongside significant leadership, advocacy, and fundraising expertise. 

Born in war-torn South Sudan, Elijah spent eight years in a refugee camp in Uganda before arriving in Australia in 2002 as an unaccompanied minor.

He has since built an incredible career supporting and advocating for people seeking asylum, refugees, and multicultural communities. 

He currently serves as, among others, General Secretary of the Refugee Communities Association of Australia (RCAA) and as a member of the Australian Government’s Settlement Advisory Council, and was previously CEO of Act for Peace and Queensland State Manager of Migration Support Programs for Australian Red Cross.

In 2019, Elijah was Queensland Local Hero of the Year, and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for contributions to multicultural communities and youth advocacy. He became the youngest Queenslander in history to receive the accolade.

Elijah spearheaded a decade-long campaign to remove children under 18 from adult prisons in Queensland. This campaign was successful, with the last juvenile being released from an adult prison in Queensland on December 12, 2018.

Commenting on the appointment, Peter Waters, Chair of the Asylum Seekers Centre, said “We are delighted to welcome Elijah to the Asylum Seekers Centre as our new CEO. 

“Among a field of committed and talented applicants, Elijah’s drive, commitment, and passion shone through. He shares our mission to advance and invest in humanity, and is the perfect person to help bring this to life.

Abang Anade Othow, Deputy Chair of the Asylum Seekers Centre added “Elijah’s combination of lived and professional experience means he brings a unique perspective and set of skills to the ASC.

“Elijah joins at a time of immense challenge, change, and opportunity for both the ASC and the people we support. He is the perfect person to lead the organisation into a new era, and we’re excited to work with him.”

Elijah Buol, Incoming CEO at the Asylum Seekers Centre said “I am honoured and humbled by the opportunity to become the new CEO of the Asylum Seekers Centre.

“My journey in seeking asylum and being a refugee is one of many. It has given me a valuable and deeply personal perspective on the millions of people who are forced to flee their homes and arrive here in Australia with nothing but hope and aspiration. 

“Guided by that very hope, fuelled by compassion, and driven by the injustice we witness every day, I will work with the ASC’s incredible staff, volunteers, and supporters to overcome the societal, economic, and systemic challenges people seeking asylum face.

“I believe that by investing in humanity, we advance it. I believe that together, we will.”

Elijah was chosen from more than 120 initial candidates, and following a robust and comprehensive recruitment process, supported by executive search firm, Tobin McClintock. 

He will officially join the ASC on 1st August, and will undertake a handover period with outgoing CEO, Frances Rush OAM.