St Kilda Football Club is pleased to welcome Carl Dilena, who commences his position as Chief Operating Officer today.

Dilena joins the club with more than 30 years of professional experience across corporate and organisational leadership, finance, strategy and major projects.

In addition to 12 years as a Senior Partner at KPMG, Carl served 12 years as a Board Member of the North Melbourne Football Club, including seven years as Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer. He played a central role in helping the club, among other things, achieve financial independence, play finals football, upgrade its facilities at Arden Street, establish a secondary market in Tasmania and build the Huddle Community Programs into the successful operation that it is today.

“We’re really pleased and excited to be welcoming Carl to St Kilda,” CEO Simon Lethlean said.

“With the next stages of development at both RSEA Park and the Danny Frawley Centre nearing completion, Carl will play an integral part in maintaining and executing the continual integration of those facilities.

“I look forward to learning from and working alongside Carl as we look to continue to strengthen our club’s financial position and long-term strategy.

“We look forward to welcoming Carl, Simone and their daughters Isabel and Sophie to the Saints.”

Dilena, whose portfolio will cover the strategy, finance, legal, and facilities and venue operations departments, said he was looking forward to contributing to the club’s future.

“I’m extremely excited to be joining the Saints,” Dilena said.

“The Club has come a long way over recent years under Matt’s leadership and I look forward to working with and supporting Simon to build on this progress as he steps into the CEO role.”

“There will no doubt be plenty of challenges ahead, but there are also some exciting opportunities for the Club to pursue as it moves into this next phase.”