Farewell to Pat Burke: a much-loved member of Philanthropy Australia and the sector 

Philanthropy Australia (PA) bids an appreciative adieu to one of its longest serving and highly esteemed employees, Pat Burke, as she heads into (semi) retirement. 

Pat has worn many hats over her nearly 13-year stint at PA that started as a volunteer, but is most latterly familiar to members as the Director of Engagement for Victoria and Tasmania.  

Michigan-born Pat is known far and wide in her adopted home for her warmth, humour and deep knowledge of sector relationships. She recently shared reflections on her career with the Philanthropy Australia team, saying that her father’s corporate job kept the family on the move when she was young. “I was a new kid on the block often so that probably explains how I developed my extroverted personality early.” 

After moving to Australia at 40, Pat decided that her career in Human Resources was no longer “singing to her” by the time she hit her 50s, so she began “exploring and networking, asking questions and chatting with people”. A chance meeting at an event with Rikki Andrews, Public Benefit Manager at auDA and a co-founder of Impact100 Melbourne, piqued’s Pat interest and soon led her to study the Masters of Social Investment and Philanthropy at Swinburne University. 

Following a short stint in a grant-making role, she returned to PA in a part-time membership admin post that developed to cover PA’s work with the community foundations forum and her later roles as Engagement Director and as a Senior Advisor. It was as co-founder of the Melbourne Women’s Fund, now Foundation, in 2014 that Pat found her passion for collective giving. 

Highlights of her time in philanthropy are – no surprise – the relationships and connections with people, she said. “Helping people who are new to giving has been one of the biggest buzzes for me. Seeing that joyful spark when someone gets involved in giving, and especially for me, in collective giving, that’s been special.  

“But as a membership manager, which has been the majority of my experience, I’ve had so many delightful conversations with people who have giving structures. I’ve learned much from them and through PA’s resources and strong peer networks that we provide for our members. That’s part of the magic of what we do and what I have loved,” she said. 

“What’s been particularly rewarding is when I’ve been able to bring people together to make a connection and then you hear back, sometimes years later, that they ran with it and collaborated on a terrific initiative – that’s been a memorable part of working at PA.” 

Maree Sidey, CEO of Philanthropy Australia, said: “Pat has had a remarkable impact in philanthropy here, particularly in Melbourne and Victoria, where there can be few who have not had the pleasure of crossing paths with her. 

“She is a warm and natural conversationalist, enabler, convener and cheerleader. Pat can be so proud of all she has achieved not only at PA, but also at the WMF and the other boards and charities with which she is involved.  

“Pat’s deep knowledge and thoughtful wisdom will be sorely missed in the office, but as a stalwart of the PA family, it’s gladly not goodbye. We wish her the best for the next chapter of her life.” 

Pat will continue to serve in board roles and will convene PA’s new staff alumni group in 2026 – as well as spend much more time on the golf course!  

Members in Victoria will also get to farewell Pat at our EOY Christmas event at the Immigration Museum in Melbourne on 4 December.