We need systemic change to address intractable social problems, and systemic change is hard to achieve.  It requires innovation and collaboration to meet the complex challenge.

This webinar will share why collaborative philanthropy is a powerful tool for achieving systemic change. Our panellists will reflect on learnings from the Out of Home Care Philanthropic Funders Network, and how this model of collaborative philanthropy can be applied to support broader systemic change.

For children and young people who cannot live safely at home - whether temporarily or permanently - out-of-home care is intended to keep them safe and support them to heal and thrive. Unfortunately, children and young people in out-of-home care do not always receive the care and supports they need, and the complexity and challenges of the system illustrate a pressing need for wide-scale and systemic solutions to elicit meaningful change.  The Out of Home Care Philanthropic Funders Network has made a strong impact on the out- of-home care sector in Victoria to support system-wide change that improves the experiences and outcomes of children and young people who have an out-of-home care experience.

Moderator

Pat Burke OAM - State Manager, Victoria and Tasmania, Philanthropy Australia

Pat has experience in the not-for-profit sector and human resources management across a 25-year career in the United States and Australia.

As the State Manager for Philanthropy Australia’s Victoria and Tasmania members, Pat has been part of Australia’s peak body for philanthropy and giving since 2011 and holds a Masters in Social Investment & Philanthropy from Swinburne (2012). In 2020 Pat was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community through charitable organisations.

A giving circle advocate, Pat is Co-Founder of the Melbourne Women's Fund, a giving circle established in 2014 to support vulnerable women & families in greater metropolitan Melbourne. Pat has worked in grant making for Melbourne based Gardiner Foundation, is an ambassador to the Victoria University Foundation, and former board director and company secretary of Variety the Children's Charity, Victoria, and the former chair of the Firbank Grammar School Foundation.

Presenters

Adjunct Professor Muriel Bamblett AO - CEO, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency

Muriel Bamblett is a Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung woman who has been employed as the CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency since 1999. Muriel is active on many boards and committees concerning children, families and the Indigenous community, including Chairperson of the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC), the peak Australian agency for Indigenous child and family services; the Aboriginal Children’s Forum; the First Peoples Treaty Assembly and the Aboriginal Justice Forum. Muriel’s contribution to her community and to Victoria has been recognised and she received the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2019 for distinguished service to the Indigenous community in Victoria as an advocate for the self determination and cultural rights of children.

Kirsty Allen - Program Manager, Sidney Myer Fund & The Myer Foundation

Kirsty Allen is a Program Manager with The Myer Foundation and Sidney Myer Fund, among the oldest and most respected family foundations in Australia.

Kirsty has responsibility for a number of national grant making programs including the Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowships and the Sidney Myer Fund’s Poverty & Disadvantage Program. Kirsty developed The Myer Foundation’s Human, Civil and Legal Rights theme and has carriage of The Myer Foundation and Sidney Myer Fund’s NFP leadership develop initiative developed in collaboration with two other philanthropic partners, Social Impact Leadership Australia.

Kirsty established and convened a philanthropy network on refugees and people seeking asylum, and continues to be involved in a number of co-funding and collaborative initiatives.

Kirsty came to the philanthropic sector following nearly ten years working in international development. While working with International Women’s Development Agency, Kirsty managed and monitored projects in Asia and the Pacific and was responsible for seeking project funding from non-government sources, including Australian and International philanthropy.

Kirsty served on the Board of IWDA as staff representative, the Board of Women’s Health West and the Management Committee of the Ross House Association. Kirsty was recently re-elected to the board of Philanthropy Australia and is on the board of the Centre for Multicultural Youth.

Emily Cormack - Grants Program Manager, Equity Trustees

Emily Cormack is a Grant Program Manager with Equity Trustees, working with a team of philanthropic professionals managing over 650 charitable trusts and distributing approximately $80m per year to the for purpose sector.

She manages charitable trusts, including the RM Ansett Trust, which have a focus on supporting and empowering children. Emily has responsibility for the Children and Young People granting focus area across three funding streams in Out of Home Care, Disability and Education.

She joined the philanthropic sector in 2018 following nearly 15 years working in the community sector and in international development. Emily worked for a number of organisations including Australian Volunteers International, Caritas Australia, Youth Off The Streets and United Way Australia across a variety of roles including program management, volunteer management and fundraising and community engagement.

Prior to joining the for purpose sector Emily worked for BT Financial Group.

Deb Tsorbaris - CEO, the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare

Deb Tsorbaris is the CEO of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare. The Centre is Victoria’s peak body for child and family services. Deb is a passionate advocate for Victoria’s vulnerable children, young people and families.

Deb has over 32 years’ experience in the Not for Profit and Public sector and has held executive positions in organisations working across youth services, disability, homelessness, drug and alcohol support services; and employment programs. Prior to joining the Centre, Deb held senior executive positions in State Government.

Deb provides policy leadership to state and federal governments and is a strong contributor to the child and family services sector. Deb has been instrumental in working collaboratively across department, government and community sectors to address long term strategic needs and community objectives.

This webinar is part of Philanthropy Australia's six-part 2021 Webinar Series and is open to PA members and general admission.

Keen to attend all six webinars? Visit our bundle page and register before Monday, 31 May to take advantage of our webinar bundle pricing.