Ms Evans-Barr is currently Deputy Chief Executive Officer at AlburyCity, where she leads the Business, Growth and Community portfolio and has served as Acting Chief Executive Officer. Her career has spanned local and state government, public health, higher education, community development and the not-for-profit sector.

Before joining local government, she held senior executive roles with the Victorian Government, with responsibility for governance, strategy, regional engagement, organisational resilience, emergency response and major program delivery. Earlier roles included leadership positions with Charles Sturt University, Bowls Australia and Cancer Council Queensland.

Ms Evans-Barr has local ties to the shire. She is Vice Chair and a Board Member of Beechworth Health Service, and served ten years on the Beechworth Secondary College School Council, eight of them as President. She holds qualifications in business and law and an MBA specialising in health and human services management and policy. She is preparing to submit her PhD through Charles Sturt University, researching volunteerism, ageing and health.

Mayor Cr Sophie Price said Council ran a robust recruitment process and received applications from a high-quality field of candidates. She said Ms Evans-Barr brings extensive senior leadership experience and a genuine passion for working alongside her community.

Ms Evans-Barr described the opportunity to lead Council in the community she calls home as “both exciting and humbling”. She said her priorities include pursuing opportunities with ambition while keeping a clear eye on long-term financial sustainability, strengthening community resilience and connections, and being willing to innovate where it makes sense.

She acknowledged outgoing Chief Executive Officer Mr Trevor Ierino and the foundation he helped establish. Mayor Cr Price also thanked Mr Ierino for his dedication, integrity and contribution to the shire.