How can philanthropy support economic recovery and participation?

As we haltingly move towards a post-pandemic world and the economic props fall away, the true impact on employment and our economy will emerge.

Jobs creation and economic participation is a key policy driver that will remain a priority for our country as we continue to navigate through the pandemic. We seek to create a more equal society with opportunity for all, but there are still people that fall between the cracks.

As philanthropy continues to tackle these issues, there needs to be understanding of the economic environment we operate in, as well as the people our systems fail to catch. Who are they and why do they fall through the cracks? Join us as we examine the state of play and share and explore new approaches being taken to support economic recovery and participation across our country.

Creating better job outcomes and supporting skills development for people experiencing vulnerability, is shifting the dial on this complex issue. It is a lens that can be applied across many funding areas.

Moderator

Ben Rodgers - Executive Officer, Inner North Community Foundation

Ben has worked for the Inner North Community Foundation since 2015 and has worked for not-for-profit groups in Melbourne and overseas for over 15 years. The Foundation is a place-based funder, with a strong focus on removing the barriers people face on their journey to work.  He also Chairs Australian Community Philanthropy, the peak body of community foundations in Australia. 

Having lived in Melbourne’s Inner North for most of his life, Ben is motivated by the area’s tradition of local people responding to local challenges in meaningful ways. He is passionate about equality, social justice and ensuring everyone has access to opportunity and choice in their lives. 

Ben loves living in Coburg, where he can be found on his bike or at a local park with his young family. 

Presenters

Dr Angela Jackson - Lead Economist, Equity Economics 

Angela is lead economist at Equity Economics, with expertise in distributional analysis, economic modelling, labour markets, disability, health, gender, housing and fiscal policy.  

Angela was previously Deputy Chief of Staff to the Australian Minister for Finance and Deregulation, the Hon Lindsay Tanner MP during the Global Financial Crisis. 

She is currently a Non-Executive Director at Royal Melbourne Hospital, National Deputy Chair of the Women in Economics Network, and a Board Member at Gender Equity Victoria.  

Angela holds a Masters in International Health Policy (Health Economics) with Distinction from the London School of Economics and Political Science and has recently completed her PhD on the Economics of Disability in Australia at Monash University. 

Luke Terry - CEO, White Box Enterprises 

As the CEO of White Box Enterprises Ltd, Luke helps to build large-scale employment-focused social enterprises for disadvantaged youth in Australia with the goal of creating 5,000 jobs.  Over the last 15 years, Luke has founded several large-scale employment-focused social enterprise projects that have created meaningful work pathways for individuals who would otherwise be excluded from the labour market.   

In 2017, Luke created Vanguard Laundry Services, an AU$8.5 million commercial laundry with an in-built mental health career and training centre employing more than 150 people since commencement. 

Luke has been recognised as a Westpac Social Change Fellow, the 2015 recipient of the SVA David Clarke Scholarship, a Queensland Citizen of the Year finalist, and winner of the 2015 and 2016 Australian Social Enterprise Awards.  

Stacey Thomas - CEO, Wyatt Trust 

Stacey is the CEO of The Wyatt Trust, one of Australia’s oldest and well-respected grant making trusts, with a vision of all South Australians having opportunities to participate in the community. In 2020 Stacey also developed and still leads Foundation SA, a statewide community foundation.  Prior to her appointment she was the CEO of the Fay Fuller Foundation, a foundation seeking to improve health outcomes through long-term, systemic investment in South Australian community organisations and businesses. She has previously held roles with the Myer Family Company, Telstra Foundation and The Trust Company.  

Stacey holds a Master of Business majoring in Philanthropy and Social Investment and is an accredited Mental Health First Aider. A passionate volunteer, Stacey remains involved with Impact100 SA after being on the management committee for its first five years of operation as well as serving on a number of other boards and advisory committees. 

This webinar is part of Philanthropy Australia's six-part 2021 Webinar Series.