North Melbourne president, Ben Buckley, has announced two key appointments to the club’s Board, as a result of the departures of Glenn Archer and Julie Laycock in recent months.
Two-time premiership player, former captain, club champion and club legend, Anthony Stevens, will be named a Director alongside highly experienced and regarded marketing professional, Suzana Ristevski.
“As we make our way through this new era, we must continue to drive strategic, key outcomes on and off the field by attracting the best possible people to our club and Board,” Buckley said.
“Anthony and Suzana will add great value and bring a wide variety of skills and knowledge to our broader business.”
A former player manager and current sales executive, Stevens is also the President of the club’s Past Players and Officials Association.
“Anthony has a strong history in the game, has deep connections at Arden St. and is well known to everyone,” Buckley added.
“Not only was he a champion player and former leader of our great club, but he has extensive knowledge of the business of football, and also works in a corporate capacity in his current role.
“Anthony bleeds royal blue and white and it’s great to have him involved in this capacity.
“He is not only a club-first person and favourite son, but an incredibly impressive operator and we will benefit greatly from his experience and input.”
Stevens said he was delighted to join the Board with the future of the club as bright as ever.
“All credit goes to the current Board and administration, as well as the players and coaches, for the hard work that has been done to date,” Stevens said.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time for the club and I’m really looking forward to working with Ben and the other Directors to help us achieve even more success on and off the field.”
Ristevski is the chief marketing officer at National Australia Bank (NAB) and worked previously at General Electric and Optus.
“Suzana is not only a marketer but an executive leader and transformation agent,” Buckley said.
“She’s held significant, leading positions at some of the biggest organisations in Australia and has a proven ability to position companies for growth.
“Coming off a record-breaking membership year, Suzana will work closely with our executive team and consumer, commercial, digital and communications departments to ensure we continue to grow our club and maintain a member-focused mindset with everything we do. Suzana will be a great addition to our Board.”
A lifelong supporter, Ristevski said North was poised to grow and expand its reach and following.
“The trajectory North Melbourne is on is exciting both on and off the field,” Ristevski said.
“Everyone at the club has worked extremely hard to get us into an extremely strong position, and now it’s about capitalising on the opportunities we have coming up, and growing like never before.
“I come from a family of North supporters and feel very passionately about the club and its future.”
