New Board members bring fresh perspectives to Philanthropy Australia 

Two of Philanthropy Australia’s newest Board members, Caroline Gurney and Ingrid Albert, share the experiences and values shaping their vision for the future of Australian philanthropy. 

Caroline Gurney’s passion for philanthropy was sparked early in her career during a visit to a microfinance project in the Philippines. Seeing firsthand how access to small loans could transform lives and strengthen entire communities left a lasting impression. 

“That was one of my first times really seeing amazing philanthropy in action and the results it had in place,” she says. 

The experience helped shape a career dedicated to growing philanthropy and creating meaningful social impact. In May, Caroline joined the Philanthropy Australia Board, bringing extensive experience across philanthropy, financial services, communications and social investment. Throughout her career, she has established and grown philanthropic initiatives at organisations including UBS and Future Generation, which has distributed more than $100 million to Australian not-for-profits over a decade. 

Now, she is focused on helping drive action and change across the sector. 

“You can’t be continually advocating for something if you don’t go to the people that can really make a difference and influence. Philanthropy Australia has an amazing remit to do that – to galvanise more credibility for giving and support for non-profits across the country,” she says. 

Caroline is passionate about broadening understanding of philanthropy and helping people recognise that contributing to a better society is not limited to major donors. 

“Everybody can be an everyday philanthropist. If you have the ability to do so, you should. We all live and work in this community and we all want it to be better.” 

Looking ahead, Caroline sees Philanthropy Australia’s Strategy 2033 as an important opportunity to strengthen the sector and inspire greater participation. As a communications professional, she says sharing compelling stories of change helps connect donors with real-world impact, build trust in the sector and encourage a stronger culture of giving.  

“It’s important to tell the human stories behind the impact, helping others understand not just what philanthropy does, but why it matters.” 

Ingrid Albert  

Ingrid Albert draws optimism from the changemakers she meets every day. Through The Tony Foundation, her family’s philanthropic arm, she works alongside pioneers tackling some of society’s most complex challenges with bold ideas and a determination to create a better future.  

“I get a huge amount of energy from spending time with pioneers who are tackling some of the world’s most complex challenges with bold ideas and an unwavering belief that things can be better,” she says.  

Ingrid joined the Philanthropy Australia Board in May, motivated by a belief that the sector can help unlock bold, collaborative solutions to some of the nation’s most pressing issues.  

“No one organisation can solve these challenges in silos, but philanthropy can play an important role in bringing people together, supporting new ideas and helping unlock solutions that might not otherwise be possible,” she says.   

A fifth-generation member of the Albert family, Ingrid is helping shape the future of her family’s 140-year-old business, Alberts, as Executive Director – Marketing and Philanthropy, including as head of The Tony Foundation, which is guided by the belief that music can change lives. She also brings significant sector leadership experience, having served as Co-Chair of Philanthropy Australia’s Family Foundations Peer Network and as a Steering Committee member of Philanthropy Australia’s partnered initiative, Foundations Group for Impact Investing.  

What excites Ingrid most is the evolution taking place across Australian philanthropy. She sees a growing willingness to move beyond traditional approaches to giving and embrace deeper collaboration, systemic change and new ways of creating impact.  

“I’m also encouraged by the sector’s commitment to continually improving its practice, from strengthening governance and embracing more participatory approaches, to listening more deeply to the communities it serves,” she reflects.  

For Ingrid, philanthropy is about more than financial giving. It is about using time, skills, networks and influence to help create opportunities and address challenges that are bigger than any one organisation. Through The Tony Foundation, she has the privilege of supporting an extraordinary breadth of initiatives, from community-led organisations improving life outcomes for young Australians through music to filmmakers harnessing the power of storytelling to inspire action.  

“In a world increasingly shaped by technology, it’s a constant reminder that the qualities that make us human – creativity, empathy, curiosity and our ability to connect with one another – remain some of our greatest strengths, and we can achieve far more when we work together.” 

Read more about Philanthropy Australia’s Directors here.