Today marks an important moment for Derbyshire Voluntary Action as Juliet Grace takes up the role of Chief Executive.
Juliet joined DVA in 2023 as Deputy CEO and Operations Manager, as DVA began planning for the organisation’s future leadership and long-term succession.
Over the past three years, she has worked closely with Jacqui, our Board of Trustees and the wider DVA team, while building relationships with members, partners and organisations across Derbyshire’s VCFSE sector.
In that time, Juliet hasn’t just developed a strong understanding of DVA and the partnerships that underpin our work. She has become part of an organisation whose purpose and values she genuinely believes in, and has seen first-hand the commitment, creativity and care that exists across Derbyshire’s VCFSE sector.
Her appointment as Chief Executive is the culmination of a carefully planned transition rather than the beginning of her journey with DVA.
Today is about Juliet stepping forward to lead.
She does so with strong relationships already in place, a detailed understanding of DVA and the communities and organisations we work alongside, and her own ideas and ambitions for where we go from here.
Building on strong foundations
Juliet takes over from Jacqui Willis, who stepped down as Chief Executive yesterday after 18 years with DVA and 14 years leading the organisation.
Yesterday was rightly an opportunity to celebrate Jacqui’s extraordinary contribution and the relationships, projects and partnerships she helped build. Today, our focus turns firmly to Juliet and the future.
As Deputy CEO and Operations Manager, Juliet has worked across DVA, helping to develop the organisation, strengthen our systems and partnerships and support our team through a period of change and growth.
That experience gives Juliet continuity, but it also gives her the opportunity to lead in her own way.
She inherits an experienced and committed team, strong relationships with members and partners and an organisation with a clear purpose. She also brings her own perspective, experience and ideas about how DVA can continue to grow, respond and make a positive difference.
Our commitment remains firmly rooted in supporting and championing Derbyshire’s voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector and the people and communities at its heart.
Looking forward with Juliet
DVA’s strength comes from our relationships and from understanding what’s happening within communities and the organisations working alongside them. Juliet wants DVA to remain an organisation that listens, brings people together and is prepared to speak up about what we’re hearing.
That means creating opportunities for members, partners and communities to share their knowledge, experiences, challenges and ideas – and making sure those voices reach the places where they can influence decisions and create positive change.
It also means strengthening connections between communities, the VCFSE sector and our statutory partners, while being willing to think creatively about how we respond to the changing needs of Derbyshire.
Taking on the Chief Executive role is an opportunity to build on what already works while continuing to shape an organisation that is responsive, ambitious and firmly connected to the people it exists to support.
A few words from Juliet
“I’m incredibly proud to become Chief Executive of DVA. Over the past three years I’ve seen first-hand the commitment of our team and the extraordinary work happening every day across Derbyshire’s VCFSE sector.
There are strong foundations to build on. I’m looking forward to listening to our members and communities, strengthening our partnerships and making sure DVA continues to be a strong and trusted voice for the sector.
What has really stood out to me during my time at DVA is the number of people who genuinely care about what they do and about the communities around them. There is an enormous amount of knowledge, experience and creativity within our sector, and DVA has an important role in connecting that together and making sure it is recognised.
I believe strongly in what DVA stands for and in the difference we can make when we bring people together, listen to communities and work alongside our partners.
Most of all, I’m looking forward to working alongside all of you and seeing what we can achieve together.”
Continuing to listen, connect and advocate
Over the coming weeks and months, you’ll hear more from Juliet – but, more importantly, Juliet wants to hear from you.
She will continue talking with members, organisations, projects, and partners across Derbyshire about the opportunities and challenges facing our sector and the communities it supports.
Under Juliet’s leadership, DVA will continue to connect people and organisations, advocate for Derbyshire’s VCFSE sector and work alongside our partners to improve health and wellbeing across the county.
There will be opportunities to develop, change and grow. But the principles at the heart of DVA remain consistent: Connection, Creativity, Community Advocacy and Positive Difference.
And our purpose remains as important as ever: Helping people help their community.
Please join us in welcoming Juliet Grace as Chief Executive of Derbyshire Voluntary Action.
