In conversation with Tirana Hassan and Joseph Skrzynski AO: The intersection of Philanthropy and Human Rights

Don’t miss this opportunity to join us for a thought-provoking conversation on the intersection of philanthropy and human rights featuring Tirana Hassan and Joseph Skrzynski AO, renowned global leaders in the field. 

Wendy Brooks, Co-Chair, Human Rights Watch (HRW) Australia, will provide an introduction to this event, which promises to be an enlightening exploration into the transformative impact of strategic giving on human rights issues globally.  

Registrations close cob Friday 12 April. 

This event is open to PA Funder members only (Active, Engaged and Impact).

About the speakers

Tirana Hassan – Executive Director, Human Rights Watch  

Tirana is the first woman and first Australian to head Human Rights Watch, which has a staff of 550 covering some 90 countries, enjoys an average of six thousand media mentions a week, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize as a founding member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. It is the go-to organisation for Human Rights. 

Tirana has worked for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and Save the Children, amongst others, across East and West Africa and South and South-East Asia. Tirana graduated with honours degrees in both social work and law in Australia and holds a master’s in international human rights law from Oxford University. 

Joseph Skrzynski AO – Vice Chair of Global Board, Human Rights Watch    

Joseph is Vice Chair of the Global Board of Human Rights Watch and also serves on its Australian Committee. He serves on the boards of The Conversation Media Group global board and Foundation, as well as the Observership Program and has previously chaired The Sydney Opera House Trust, SBS Television and Radio, The National Film Television and Radio School, amongst other statutory corporations and not-for-profits. He also chairs the Skrzynski Foundation.

Joseph is the co-founder of CPE Capital, Australia’s first institutionally funded private equity and venture capital group. He and his co-founder Mr Bill Ferris have been recognised for their pioneering venture capital with the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Awards by both the Australian and Asian Venture Capital Associations.

Joseph was awarded Member of the Order of Australia in 1993 and in 2008 became an Officer in the Order of Australia for services to the industry and philanthropy.

Wendy Brooks – Managing Director at Wendy Brooks & Partners and Co-Chair, Human Rights Watch Australia  

Wendy is passionate about social justice, equity and human rights. Her career has spanned law, music, marketing, business development and fundraising for the tertiary education, environment and conservation, arts, health and medical research and social welfare sectors. 

Wendy’s current leadership positions include: Co-Chair, Human Rights Watch (HRW) Australia; Deputy Chair of Geelong Community Foundation; and Board Director of InLife Independent Living Ltd. Wendy serves on the HRW International Disability Rights Advisory Council and the Scope & University of Melbourne Advisory Council.

Wendy has a lived experience of disability and is a keen advocate for social inclusion and the human rights of people of all abilities. In the past she served as inaugural Chair of Women with Disabilities Victoria and was a board director of Scope Australia and a founding board director of Summer Housing.

Both Wendy and Rod are actively involved in Angair and other environmental programs. Wendy, Rod and family are engaged and active philanthropists.

Through Wendy Brooks & Partners, Wendy provides strategic services and a range of administrative services to the community sector.

Wendy works on Waddawurrung, Gadabanud and Wurundjeri Country.