2024 Philanthropy Australia Conference – concurrent sessions

Philanthropy Australia Tue, 17 Sep 2024

More than 1,000 people attended the Philanthropy Australia Conference 2024 in Adelaide. The concurrent sessions speakers ranged from local to national and international. You can view a selection of the concurrent sessions from Day 1 Tuesday 6 August and Day 2 Wednesday 7 August below. You can view the plenary sessions here. For queries about the recordings please contact Sophie Marcard at [email protected]

Please note that the sub-titles are auto-generated and this can create misspelled names that are sound-alikes, such as ‘Garna’ instead of the correct ‘Kaurna’. We apologise for any mistakes included in the sub-titles.

A1: How foundations can be the catalyst for impact investing
Panel: Ben Smith, Paul Ramsay Foundation and FGII Chair
Ingrid Albert, Alberts – The Tony Foundation
Phil Freeman, Regen Labs
Moderator: Michelle Di Fabio, Foundations Group for Impact Investing (FGII)


A3: Funder collaborations: effective practice and lessons learned
Panel: Sarah Hardy, The Ross Trust
Lisa Waldron, Westpac Foundation and Scholars Trust; WISE
Stephen Torsi, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation; WISE
Harriet McCallum, Mannifera
Moderator: Genevieve Timmons, Philanthropic Executive and Consultant

A4: Investing in Rural Community Futures: thriving not-for-profits for thriving regional places
Panel: Janette Blainey, Mujaay Gamma Foundation
Thomas Stanbrook, Mujaay Gamma Foundation
Wurinda Gill, Mujaay Gamma Foundation
Jenny Wheatley, Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation
Moderator: Natalie Egleton, Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR)

A5: Inspiring philanthropy: strategies and stories to drive giving
Panel: Karen Minkel, Levers for Change
Dr Georgie McClean, Creative Australia
Claire Ainsworth-Herschell, Groundswell
Moderator: Melissa Smith, Noble Ambition; She Gives

A6: How can we better work with old and new media to grow giving?
Panel: John McLeod, JBWere Philanthropic Services
Joanna Mather, The Australian Financial Review (AFR)
Rosemary Ball, The Shannon Company
Paul Starick, The Advertiser and Sunday Mail
Moderator: Sophie Marcard, Philanthropy Australia

A7: Raising the voices of women through screen
Panel: Deanne Weir, The WeirAnderson Foundation
Malinda Wink, Minderoo Pictures
Katrina Lucas, Songs Inside
Moderator: Cathy Scalzo, Australians Investing in Women

B1: Leverage the balance sheet for purpose: taking a wholistic approach to capital
Craig Connelly, Perpetual
Mi-Lin Finnie, First Australians Capital
Eloise Hall, SESAC
Duncan MacGregor, Nightingale Housing
Moderator: Simon Lewis, GoodWolf

B2: Climate lens investing: how can it deliver more impact and less risk?
Panel: Danny Kennedy, New Energy Nexus
Leah Willis, Australian Ethical
Suzy Yoon, Jana Investment Trusts
Tracey Martinovich, Tripple
Moderator: Rachel Ball, Reichstein Foundation

B3: How is the sector engaging with younger people with lived experience?
Panel: Charlotte Watson, Youth Advisory Group member, Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation
Sophie McDougall, Youth Opportunities Ambassador
John Craven, System 2
Moderator: Brigid Canny, YLab

B4: The power of First Nations governance and how it makes a difference
Panel includes: Jessica Bulger, Australian Indigenous Governance Institute
Moderator: Jess Ling, AIGI

B5: Communities are organising their resources and creating their own futures. How can you be a part of the community foundation movement in Australia?
Panel: Georgie McKay, Stand Like Stone
Sophie Doyle, Foundation SA
Howard Duncan, Foundation Barossa
Moderators: Ian Bird, Community Foundations Australia and Rosie Funder, Community Foundations Australia

B6: Why is corporate giving on the rise? Innovations and trends
Panel: Caroline Gurney, Future Generations
Dr Marc Levy, Right Lane Foundation
Chris Venter, Benevity
Moderator: Jackie Coates, Telstra Foundation

B7: How are we responding to the pressing social issues of our time? From rising inequality to thriving communities and more…
Kate Simpson, Ethical Fields
Liz O’Connell, Kudos Services
David Panter, MINDA, SACOSS, ACOSS
Richenda Vermeulen, ntegrity
Moderator: Jo Taylor, Siddle Family Foundation; Pay What It Takes (PWIT) Coalition

C1: How do you achieve impact using fixed asset?
Panel: Andrew Gordon, Ord Minnett
Suzie Riddell, Social Ventures Australia
Chris Burns, Hutt Street Centre
Moderator: Amanda Miller OAM


C2: Embracing trust and local leadership to shift perspectives in international giving
Andy Bryant, Segal Family Foundation
Safeena Husain, Educate Girls
Isabel Kamariza, Solid’Africa
Moderator: Evelyn Omala, Partners for Equity


C4: Harnessing technology and AI for efficient and equitable giving
Panel: Nick Boniciolli, Optible AI
Benjamin Alder, The Wellbeing Protocol
Moderator: Antonia Ruffell, StartGiving


C5: Structured giving: the pros and cons of every option
Panel: Judith Fiander, Australian Philanthropic Services
Olivia Clark-Moffatt, Australian Communities Foundation
Denise Cheng, Equity Trustees
Moderator: Fiona Higgins, Australian Philanthropic Services and Eisen Family Private Fund


C6: Shifting power through community-led philanthropy
Panel: Ben Rodgers, Inner North Community Foundation
Em Scott, GiveOUT
Amelia Telford, Australian Progress


C7: The growth of democratised giving: where and how is it happening?
Panel: Sara Lomelin, Philanthropy Together
Christine Darcas, Melbourne Women’s Foundation
John McLeod, JBWere Philanthropic Services
Kathryn House AM, Impact100 SA
Moderator: James Boyd, Collective Giving Australia