Barbara Bridger will replace Keith Ellwood who is retiring at the end of 2013.
Ms Bridger was excited about the new role and said it would be an opportunity to take her career in a slightly different direction.
At present, she is the Mornington Health Centre practice manager in Dunedin, and was chief executive of the Mornington Primary Health Organisation until its merger with Southern PHO in 2010.
Previously, she was an accountant with Ernst and Young, working in Wellington, Toronto and London in its audit and management services divisions, before joining Credit Suisse First Boston Investment Management's London office as vice-president until her return to Dunedin for family reasons.
Ms Bridger said she was looking forward to the challenge of getting to know about the many key Otago leaders and charitable groups the trust was involved with, while continuing to manage the trust's investment fund to preserve and grow its original value for future generations to draw on.
''I am really looking forward to joining the trust in the new year and being part of an organisation that makes such a positive and valuable contribution to the Otago community.
''It will be a step in a different direction, but I will be able to utilise some of the skills I have gained from different roles I have had over the years.''
Community Trust chairman Stuart Walker said the trust was pleased to secure Ms Bridger's talents from a large number of applicants, and looked forward to her leading initiatives with Otago community organisations into a new era.
''Ms Bridger brings to the trust considerable experience and skills in finance and investment, operational management and business development.
''She is also a strategic thinker with an innovative approach, and very importantly, is passionate about people.''
Mr Walker paid tribute to Mr Ellwood, who has been with the trust since its inception 25 years ago, and has been chief executive for 20 years.
''Keith has been a fantastic ambassador for the trust, and is well respected in the community.
''His sound and responsive leadership is very much appreciated by the trustees, who wish him well in his retirement.''
The Otago Community Trust is a philanthropic trust which has contributed $126 million to community groups in Otago since 1988.
