YWCA Canberra

Frances Crimmins

Frances Crimmins

Frances has a passion to see women achieve their potential and shape their communities.

Frances’ innate leadership ability was first recognised after she left a regional high school that had a notorious reputation, and was named both Canberra Trainee of the Year and Australian Trainee of the Year.

Moving from hospitality into a human resources role in the health sector, Frances’ natural drive and pursuit of excellence saw her establish her former employer as an Employer of Choice for Women, and ACT Employer of the Year for Apprenticeships & Traineeships.

Frances was drawn to YWCA Canberra in 2010 as she had always identified as a feminist, and has a strong belief in social justice, which she attributes to her mother’s influence. Having faced discrimination during her own career journey, she is now committed to being a strong voice for women.

Frances volunteers on a variety of boards and committees. These include: WESNET, former Co-Chair of Anti-Poverty Week in the ACT, ACT Women’s Services Network, and the Canberra Business Chamber Social Enterprise Taskforce.

Frances is the former Chair of the ACT Ministerial Advisory Committee for Women, and former Board Director of No Sweat Fashion.

In 2015, Frances received an Edna Ryan Award for advancing the status of women in the ACT. In 2016, Frances was named ACT Leader of the Year at the Australian Leadership Excellence awards run by the Australian Institute of Leadership and Management. She also attended Commission for the Status of Women in New York in 2017 and 2018.

Frances loves living in Canberra with her husband and children, and is committed to YWCA Canberra making a real and lasting difference to this community. She is conscious that the organisation stands on the shoulders of the women who have gone before, and is keen to take it strongly into the future.

All articles

  • 31 August 2021: Equal Pay Day 2021

    Today is Equal Pay Day 2021. But it is not a time to celebrate. Equal Pay Day is on 31 August this year to mark the 61 additional days from the end of last financial year that women must work, on average, to earn the same amount as men earned in that year. Unfortunately, as […]

  • 15 August 2017: The ACT is limping behind others when it comes to creating gender equality

    Originally published in The Canberra Times. – The release of the Human Rights Commission’s damning Change the Course: National Report on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment at Australian Universities, 2017 confirms that sexual assault and sexual harassment are occurring at unacceptable rates at Australian universities.   The Australian Human Rights Centre at UNSW subsequently launched a complementary report […]

  • 13 February 2017: The impact of opportunity – YWCA Canberra’s Clubhouse

    A little over two years ago, YWCA Canberra took a big leap in partnership with Richardson Primary School, to open the ACT’s first ever Clubhouse. Based on the global Clubhouse model, which was founded in Boston in 1993, we opened a free, out-of-school learning space that connects young people in Tuggeranong with access to the […]

  • 15 June 2016: A weekend with the family.. and without technology!

    This year, our winter appeal is raising money for the YWCA Clubhouse, a free learning space for young people in Tuggeranong to learn and build their confidence through technology.  Supporters can fundraise by taking on the Tech Freeze Challenge – relinquishing technology for a weekend and seeking sponsorship from friends and family for doing so. […]

  • 17 November 2015: Creating a progressive Canberra for women

    This is a transcript of the keynote address YWCA Canberra Executive Director, Frances Crimmins, gave at the recent Progressive Canberra Summit, held by Unions ACT and Fair Go for Canberra on Saturday 14 November 2015.  I would like to start by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land we’re meeting on and pay my respects […]

  • 17 December 2014: 2014: a year to remember

    I would like to thank and acknowledge the enthusiasm, support and dedication of my colleagues, and the work of our 300 staff. Our organisation is not only a significant employer in the Territory, but also a contributor to the economic, cultural and social wellbeing of our community. Our 2013-2014 Annual Report highlights the many achievements […]