Speakers

Monica Watt is an innovative, dynamic and influential leader in Human Resources. As a member of the Executive team at ELMO, Monica has delivered a depth and breadth of organisational change initiatives at scale in a fast-paced environment, while ensuring employee engagement is maximised. Monica is an avid social media networker, ranked in LinkedIn’s top 25% most actively engaged which has earned her a large following and cemented her reputation as a well-respected and trusted visionary in the HR community.

Panel discussion: Attracting and retaining the right workforce for your organisation

• Discussing the impact of regulatory reform and service commercialisation on not-for-profit organisations
• Navigating through challenges in culture, innovation and professional conduct
• Ensuring your organisation meets governance, compliance and risk obligations

Leah is the Head of Client Relationships at Australian Ethical Investment, Australia’s leading ethical superannuation fund and investment manager with over $2.6bn in funds under management. Leah joined Australian Ethical in December 2016 and is responsible for client relationships across all of Australian Ethical’s intermediated channels, including financial planners, employers, and institutional clients. Leah has more than 20-years’ experience in financial services distribution, including senior distribution positions with Rothschild Asset Management, BT Financial Group, Barclays Global Investors, and most recently as Head of Key Accounts for IOOF.

PRESENTATION: The social purpose of business - A need for change

• How to effectively balance profit and purpose
• Ensuring your business model is conscious of its impact on the world
• Developing a business model that makes a positive difference through its foundation

Christi Moller is the founder and Managing Director of Xtreme Productivity, a company focused on the digital transformation of cause driven institutions. His first-hand experience working in a not-for-profit, as Head of Technology for World Vision, combined with more than 20 years in the global ICT sector, helps him build strong teams of likeminded individuals that apply their technical talents to increase social impact. Christi’s business acumen and leadership dexterity has allowed Xtreme Productivity to grow into a multi-national global organisation with services spanning the breadth of the technology spectrum. Furthermore, his dedication to empower charitable organisations has set Xtreme Productivity on the road to success with rapid growth and expansion in both New Zealand and Australia.

Panel discussion: Discussing the role of technology in marketing and fundraising

• Analysing the use of technology and what impact it has on fundraising and donations
• Predicting how current and future technology trends will impact fundraising
• How technology can play a vital part in strengthening a company brand

Ben Graetz is a former Microsoft Executive who has held senior roles in Australia, the United States and Asia Pacific. Ben is passionate about how the power of technology can help for-purpose organisations achieve more social good in our society. Ben co-founded Grassrootz to help charities in Australia and around the world gain the benefits of digital innovation. Grassrootz has helped hundreds of charities significantly increase fundraising in campaigns large and small, including Telethon7, which raised a record $36.4M in 2017.

Panel discussion: Discussing the role of technology in marketing and fundraising

• Analysing the use of technology and what impact it has on fundraising and donations
• Predicting how current and future technology trends will impact fundraising
• How technology can play a vital part in strengthening a company brand

George has advised not-for-profit, government and commercial organisations for over 18 years in the areas of strategy, business models and system transformation. Prior to this he grew and sold a $100M private sector business, meaning he brings a strong practicality and commerciality to his strategic advice. Previous roles have seen George as the National Lead Partner for Transformation at Grant Thornton, Program Director for the Department of Premier and Cabinet as well as Chairman and Non-Executive Director on a number of technology and service businesses.

PRESENTATION: Building strategic capability in NFP and philanthropic leaders – survive and thrive

• Baking innovation into your leaders
• Five key capabilities for sustainability
• Building board capability for financial resilience and change

Nick manages the Australian Ethical Foundation, which receives 10% of profits (after tax and before bonuses) from Australian Ethical every year to put towards charitable organisations and social impact initiatives. Nick joined Australian Ethical in early 2017 and is responsible for managing the Australian Ethical Foundation’s philanthropic programs, charitable engagements and impact investing work. Nick has an MBA (Social Impact) and has worked across various social impact organisations, including the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME). Nick is passionate about working to address climate change, improve animal rights and strengthen communities across Australia.

PRESENTATION: The social purpose of business - A need for change

• How to effectively balance profit and purpose
• Ensuring your business model is conscious of its impact on the world
• Developing a business model that makes a positive difference through its foundation

Panel discussion: Attracting and retaining the right workforce for your organisation

• Discussing the impact of regulatory reform and service commercialisation on not-for-profit organisations
• Navigating through challenges in culture, innovation and professional conduct
• Ensuring your organisation meets governance, compliance and risk obligations

Lucas leads the AICD’s advocacy and engagement agenda in the not-for-profit sector, as well as on issues of ethics, public accountability and integrity frameworks. He was previously a foundation staff member of the ACNC and has had experience on not-for-profit and government boards.

PRESENTATION: The shifting sands of Not-for-Profit governance

• Discussing the impact of regulatory reform and service commercialisation on not-for-profit organisations
• Navigating through challenges in culture, innovation and professional conduct
• Ensuring your organisation meets governance, compliance and risk obligations

Panel discussion: Attracting and retaining the right workforce for your organisation

• Discussing the impact of regulatory reform and service commercialisation on not-for-profit organisations
• Navigating through challenges in culture, innovation and professional conduct
• Ensuring your organisation meets governance, compliance and risk obligations

Alan Beattie has been involved with Social Impact in some way, shape or form for the past 25 years – Alan has worked extensively with Indigenous people and in more recent years with refugees in Nauru, Pollinate Energy in India and since early 2017 as the Social Enterprise Manager at Holyoake, a not-for-profit organisation based in Perth that is embarking on social enterprise projects with a global reach.

PRESENTATION: Generating social impact alongside financial returns

• How to identify and develop a financially profitable program with social impact
• Identifying your market and developing a sales strategy
• Expanding your reach through partnership models

Ian Wishart is one of Australia’s most experienced international development leaders. He has spent the past 28 years involved in virtually every aspect of aid and human rights including emergency relief operations, long term development and influential policy and advocacy initiatives. Ian joined The Fred Hollows Foundation as its new CEO on March 5, 2018 from Plan International Australia, where he was CEO since 2001. Plan is an international development organisation committed to the advancement of child rights and equality for girls. Ian led Plan International Australia’s transformation from a $10m operation into a $63m organisation. He also served in the global leadership of the Plan International federation, as both chair of their national CEO team and on their global management committee, and oversaw the organisation’s successful market entry into Hong Kong.

PANEL DISCUSSION: Discussing the role of technology in marketing and fundraising

• Analysing the use of technology and what impact it has on fundraising and donations
• Predicting how current and future technology trends will impact fundraising
• How technology can play a vital part in strengthening a company brand

Holly Masters is Chief Executive Officer of the McGrath Foundation. Holly joined the McGrath Foundation in October 2017, after working in the UK and across the Asia Pacific region. Holly has a wealth of experience across FMCG, retail, beauty, media and telecommunications sectors, building and developing brands globally. Most recently, she worked for Estée Lauder Companies where she held a variety of roles over 12 years including, Vice President General Manager of Clinique Asia Pacific, based in Hong Kong. Previously, Holly led brands such as Jo Malone London, La Mer and Molton Brown across Australia and co-founded mission21, a marketing and communications agency in London. Today Holly manages a team of passionate, skilled professionals at the McGrath Foundation. She is responsible for leading the McGrath Foundation into a new phase of growth in order to deliver on the Mission of ensuring every individual experiencing breast cancer has access to the support of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse, for free wherever they live in Australia.

PRESENTATION: The power of purposeful partnerships

• How purpose-driven organisation can use a collaborative approach to improve impact
• Using partnerships to deliver shared value, drive awareness and innovation
• Identifying partners that have the potential to grow into strong and long-lasting relationships

Louise has over 30 years' experience in marketing, sales and communications including responsibility for a range of blue chip international brands and government projects. Louise was a member of the Sydney board of Leo Burnett Connaghan and May Advertising and was founding partner of Brave New World Advertising. Louise originally joined Starlight in 2001 and was the Head of Partnerships for six years before returning mid-2009 to take on the role as Chief Executive. Since then Louise has been responsible for significant program development and expansion funded by sustainable revenue growth. She is focused on performance through people and Starlight has been awarded AON Hewitt Best Employer accreditation, is in the top 20 in Australia’s Great Places to Work and #1 most reputable charity brand supporting children & young people. Louise has been described as an inspiring and authentic leader and has clear strengths in establishing strategic vision, achieving organisational alignment and ensuring resources are available to efficiently implement business plans. In 2015 Louise was the Not-for-Profit Executive of the Year by CEO Magazine.

PRESENTATION: Identifying where your company needs to go and how technology can help you get there

• Developing a technology strategy that helps drive your company vision and goals
• Embarking on a digital tranformation journey
• Enabling your team to add value by putting the 'human' back into what they do

Martin is an acclaimed speaker and recognised thought leader in the world of not for profit marketing and fundraising. With a background in economics and marketing, Martin has dedicated the past 28 years to adapting the best commercial practices to the not for profit sector. Martin has led large teams to great success for blue chip charities including WWF-UK, The National Trust, Heart Foundation and Cancer Council. Over the past 9 years, as a trusted advisor, Martin has worked with over 100 organisations, including most of the largest charities in Australia, to build and enhance their strategic approach to fundraising growth. Most recently Martin has been focussed on the application of behavioural science (nudges) and customer experience management (CX) to understanding and influencing supporter behaviour. Martin is a regular and popular speaker at the IFC in Asia and Europe, Fundraising and Philanthropy Conference, FIA Conferences and recently presented at Australia’s largest experience management summit.

Sashenka Worsman is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Australia’s largest youth run organization – Oaktree . With over 250,000 members, Oaktree is young people leading a movement to end poverty. For Oaktree, change starts with a simple belief - that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. Beliefs turn into action, and enough informed action can change things for the better. Sash is also the youngest ever board member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID). ACFID is the peak body for the aid and international development sector, representing over 130 organisations across Australia working in over 90 countries. Sash is also an Executive Committee Member of the Campaign for Australian Aid. Born and raised in war torn Sri Lanka, Sash has an unwavering passion and commitment to lead young people in creating a world where equality and peace are commonplace. Since moving to Australia in 2009, Sash has completed a double degree in Law and International Studies. Sash has represented youth at the UN Climate talks in South Africa, worked through East Africa for the Campaign for Australian Aid and most recently, Sash worked for World Vision Australia as the National Director of their Youth Movement – VGen.

PRESENTATION: How to effectively attract and engage a young workforce

• Analysing the negative stereotypes of young employees and what impact this has on the NFP sector
• Discussing what a young workforce brings to the company and how your organisation can benefit from one
• How to engage and support

Craig Connelly commenced as Chief Executive Officer of The Ian Potter Foundation in December 2015. Craig is an accomplished financier and businessman, now dedicated to contributing to the community sector. He spent 25 years working in a variety of roles in the Australian financial services sector, initially with respected chartered accounting firm, Price Waterhouse, followed by 11 years as a leading Australian equities analyst and partner with JB Were. A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, Craig is an experienced business analyst and successful manager whose professional strengths lie in his research innovation, industry analysis, technical expertise and strong communication skills. He currently serves as an external member on the Advisory Committee for the Sustainable Farms Initiative, ANU and is the Founding Trustee of the Parks Australia Trust.

PRESENTATION: From the philanthropists' perspective: Developing partnerships with NFPs

• Developing long-term partnerships with focus on capacity building rather than 'hand-to-mouth' projects
• Discussing what this means for NFPs and why prospective partners are turned away
• Examining the IPF's investigation of an NFP professional development program in conjunction with the Myer Foundation

Throughout his career, Ron has worked extensively in the primary health care sector and not-for-profit sector. Ron joined Vision Australia in January 2013 after guiding ProCare Health Limited (NZ), New Zealand’s largest Primary Healthcare Organisation, to a leading position in the primary health care sector. Ron has specialised in operational and technical information technology positions over his career and has worked for organisations such as Databank Systems Limited, National Provident Fund, Telecom, Western Bay Health, Countrywide Bank and the New Zealand Defence Force. Ron, who has family members who have experienced vision loss, is a specialist on the disability sector in Australia, funding in the disability sector, employment and the NDIS.

PRESENTATION: Thinking differently - Developing strategic thinking strategies

• Discussing the role of clients, volunteers and staff in strategic thinking models
• Going beyond client representation to tap into client expertise
• How to effectively engage clients in strategy execution

Professor Sanchia Aranda was appointed as CEO of Cancer Council Australia in August 2015. In this role Sanchia leads cancer policy and advocacy development, ensuring a strong evidence base is used to inform cancer control in Australia. She also holds academic appointments with the University of Melbourne, University of Technology, Sydney and the University of Sydney. She has 38 years’ experience in cancer control and has held roles in healthcare, research, tertiary education and government prior to joining the not-for-profit sector. She has held significant leadership roles in Australian Cancer Control, including 8 years on the Advisory Council for Cancer Australia (2006-2015). Sanchia also has extensive international cancer control experience, with 16 years on the board of the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care, including 4 as President (2006-2010). She is the President for the Union for International Cancer Control and has been on the board of UICC for 6 years. She is also a board member for the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting and the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia. Her contributions to cancer control have been recognized nationally and internationally through awards and keynote speaker invitations. In 2013 she was named the 4th Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Distinguished Fellow for her contributions to Cancer Nursing and in 2016 received the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care Distinguished Merit award.

PRESENTATION: Shifting talk: From overheads to impact

• Improving capacity to communicate impact to the public
• Understanding how the public views your charity
• Using a national brand campaign to tell the story of what you do, and aim for this to shift public understanding
• The potential role of impact assessment - Where do we need to get to as a sector

Michelle is Chief Executive Officer at Cure Brain Cancer Foundation. In this role she leads a team of committed individuals who are focused on improving survival for people living with brain cancer. Previously she held the position of Head of Research Strategy and was involved in developing the research strategy for the Foundation. During her time at Cure Brain Cancer Foundation she has recruited a scientific advisory committee to provide advice and oversight to the Foundation to ensure global objectivity when making decisions and has launched a competitive grant application process for Australian brain cancer researchers. While championing translational research Michelle has also been actively involved in attracting additional brain cancer trials to Australia. She has overseen the allocation of over $15 Million in brain cancer research expenditure. Michelle is a member of the Management Committee of the Cancer Academic Group of the Sydney Partnership for Health Education Research and Enterprise (SPHERE Partnership) and a member of the Strategic Advisory Committee for The Australian Brain Cancer Mission. Prior to joining the Foundation she held senior business development roles in a global Clinical Research Organisation. Michelle has worked across various sectors including Telecommunications, Banking and Government. She has completed a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Advanced Biochemistry and Psychology) and Masters of Public Health.

PRESENTATION: Increasing impact by developing partnerships with organisations that are working towards the same goals

• How to identify the types of partners and types of partnerships that would benefit your organisation and its mission
• Developing trusting relationships at a time of increasing competition
• How to establish yourself on the global marketing and partner with international organisations

Dr Martin Laverty is CEO of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia. He Chair’s the Deputy Prime Minister’s General Aviation Advisory Group, is a Director of the National Disability Insurance Agency and Health Direct, and serves on the Advisory Boards of the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission and the NSW Public Service Commission. He is a former CEO of Catholic Health Australia and the NSW Muscular Dystrophy Association, and former chair of the NSW Heart Foundation and disability organisations Sunshine and Challenge Southern Highlands. A lawyer by training, his doctorate was on not-for-profit board director contributions to organisational outcomes.

PRESENTATION: Creating a strong governance for charitable purposes

• Discussing owns mission and purpose within Not-for-profit organisations
• Examining how boards can better contribute to organisational outcomes
• How governance structures can be enhanced to drive better director contributions to organisational outcomes

PRESENTATION: Increasing social impact by combining technology resources and partnerships

• Connecting and developing collaborative partnerships to increase sector innovation
• Sharing resources in an increasingly competitive environment
• Effectively utilising technology to measure social change and outcomes

Deborah Gold is the Chief Executive of NAT (National AIDS Trust), the UK’s HIV policy and campaigning charity. Since joining NAT in 2014, Deborah has led a number of policy successes, most notably winning legal action against the National Health Service in England, which led directly to the launch of a large-scale trial of PrEP (a drug which prevents HIV) for at least 10,000 people. Deborah has had a long career in the third sector in England, including as Chief Executive of Galop (an LGBT anti-violence organisation), and on issues such as LGBT rights, homelessness and domestic abuse.

PRESENTATION: How to grow your brand and reputation whilst advocating for your mission 
• Collaborating across sectors to grow market reach and increase impact
• How to effectively plan for a campaign that strengthens company reputation and increases community trust and engagement
• Evaluating a campaign and developing strategies for continues growth

David Crosbie has been a leader in Australia's not-for-profit sector for over 20 years, where he has offered a leading voice on drug and alcohol recovery, community belonging and accountable and consultative policy. He has since been a critical player in building the impact and viability of the not-for-profit sector, becoming Chief Executive Officer of the Community Council for Australia (CCA) in 2011. David currently serves on the Advisory Boards of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and Impact Investing Australia.He is formerly CEO of the Mental Health Council of Australia, Odyssey House Victoria and the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia. He has served on a range of other key national bodies including as Chair of the National Compact Expert Advisory Group, a member of the NFP Sector Reform Council, and the Community Response Task Group.

• Evaluating the increased competition in the NFP space and what it means for organisations and communities
• Discussing digital disruption and its impact on the NFP sector
• The rise of nationalist popularism and the challenge for NFPs working towards the just, fair, inclusive, kind, authentic and generous Australia we want

The Hon Dr Gary Johns is the Commissioner of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). Dr Johns has previously held roles as a Director of the Australian Institute for Progress, and an Adjunct Professor at the Queensland University of Technology Business School. He has served as a member of the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership, and has wide-ranging experience in regulation, public service and policy, serving as an Associate Commissioner of the Productivity Commission and representing the electorate of Petrie in the Federal Government from 1987 to 1996, and as minister in the Keating government. Dr Johns was also a columnist for The Australian, and has authored a number of books on charities and the not-for-profit sector.

PRESENTATION: Discussing the importance of trust and transparency in the sector

• How the ACNC works to increase organisational transparency to assist donors in their decision making
• Assisting donors in finding out which charity does what, for whom and where
• Working towards reducing the red tape in the NFP sector donations

Andrew Leigh is the Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Federal Member for Fenner in the ACT. Prior to being elected in 2010, Andrew was a professor of economics at the Australian National University. He holds a PhD in public policy from Harvard, having graduated from the University of Sydney with first class honours in Law and Arts.

Andrew is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Social Sciences, and a past recipient of the 'Young Economist Award', a prize given every two years by the Economics Society of Australia to the best Australian economist under 40.

PRESENTATION: Changing the trend of declining community engagement in Australia

• Analysing why people are becoming more disconnected from the NFP sector and discussing challenges of rebuilding social capital in Australia
• Collaborating with the sector to increase community engagement
• Evaluating early insights from the Reconnected Project and analysing the future of Australia’s NFP sector