The Road Ahead: The Future of Philanthropy in Australia

Australia is a generous nation. This generosity plays a vital role in supporting the diverse, vibrant and innovative charities, not-for-profits and community groups that form the ‘social capital’ that strengthens communities right across our nation. Philanthropy plays a critical and evolving role in Australian society. In this webinar, Leading Philanthropist Carol Schwartz AO will reflect on the growing inequalities and injustices across our communities, and the important role of philanthropy in strengthening gender equality, creativity, sustainability and social justice within our society.

Philanthropy Australia launched its Blueprint to Grow Structured Giving earlier this year. The Blueprint outlines how the philanthropic, not-for-profit, business and government sectors can work together to double structured giving by 2030, and it supports the organisation’s next three-year strategy to support this ambitious goal.

Jack Heath, CEO of Philanthropy Australia, will share a progress update on Philanthropy Australia’s 2022-2024 Strategy and the peak body’s role in shaping the future of philanthropy in Australia. Jack will be joined by Philanthropy Australia Board members to discuss the road ahead.

Download the Blueprint to Grow Structured Giving here. 

Download the Executive Summary here. 

Moderator

Jack Heath - CEO, Philanthropy Australia   

Jack has been a leader in the charitable sector for over two decades.  He brings to Philanthropy Australia a deep-seated belief in the ability of philanthropy to change lives. He sees philanthropy as a driving force for good in a time of diminished trust in institutions and huge societal challenges. He advocates for a philanthropy that is big-hearted, clear-headed and joyful.     

After graduating from the University of Melbourne in Honours Arts and Law, he served in Government as a diplomat, speechwriter and senior adviser to Federal Ministers including Prime Minister Paul Keating. Then, following the suicide of his young cousin, Jack led the establishment of the ReachOut youth mental health organisations in Australia, Ireland and the USA before serving as CEO at SANE Australia for over eight years.  He has sat on a number of advisory boards and committees and received awards for his contributions in mental health, including a Centenary Medal.   

Presenters

Carol Schwartz AO - Chair, Trawalla Foundation 

Carol Schwartz AO is one of Australia’s most dynamic business and community leaders with a diverse career across property, the arts, finance, investment, entrepreneurship, government and health. Carol is highly regarded as a public commentator and agitator on issues of gender equality, women’s leadership, governance and business. 

Carol has been recognised for her leadership via a range of honours including her 2019 appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia, an Honorary Doctorate from Monash University, induction into the Australia Property Hall of Fame, and a Centenary Medal. Carol was also named one of Australia’s most influential women in the Australian Financial Review and Westpac’s Inaugural 100 Women of Influence Awards and inducted into the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll. In November 2020 Carol was recognised with the nation’s highest philanthropic honour, the ‘Leading Philanthropist’ Award by Philanthropy Australia.   

Carol has chaired and participated in numerous listed and private company boards, and has also chaired major government boards and conducted significant inquiries on behalf of government. Carol’s current board roles include the Reserve Bank of Australia, Trawalla Group and Chair of EQT Holdings Limited. 

Throughout her career Carol has been a passionate advocate for women in leadership, particularly in business, politics and the media. As Chair of the Trawalla Foundation and the Women’s Leadership Institute Australia, she has catalysed a range of practical solutions, including the Pathways to Politics Program for Women, the Panel Pledge, and the Women for Media database. Carol is also the Founding Chair of Our Community, a member of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Women’s Leadership Board, and the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership Advisory Board, Kings College.  

Anthony Cavanagh - PA Board Members

A Taungurung man, Anthony's career spans over 25 years in the private and government sectors, including experience and qualifications in the following areas - Diploma of Business in Quality Management, Risk Management, Workplace Safety and Environmental Management.

He is a member of the ANZ Bank's Indigenous Advisory Council, and an Alumni of the Melbourne Business school's MURRA program 2014, the Williamson Leadership program 2015, and the Stanford University's Business School 2019.

Anthony's working life has helped him gain extensive management experience in the recruitment, training and community services sectors.

Before joining Ganbina as CEO, Anthony held senior management roles with the Chandler Macleod Group and Worktrainers. Earlier in his career, he worked with Human Services Victoria in residential care facilities for disadvantaged and displaced children and young people.

His Voluntary work has included serving on various Boards including as Chair of Mitchell Indigenous Education Group and as a member of the Mitchell Community Health Service, the Meadows Youth Foundation, and recently he has become a member of the Sports Environment Alliance group on the Philanthropy Committee.

Joe Skrzynski AO - PA Board Members 

Joe Skrzynski, AO, is Co-Chairman of CHAMP Private Equity which he co-founded with Mr Bill Ferris, AC in 1987. He has served on the Boards of numerous portfolio companies both in Australia and overseas.  

His not-for-profit activities have included several public sector appointments including Chairmanships of The Australian Film, Television and Radio School, The Sydney Opera House Trust, and SBS Radio and Television. He has also served as the CEO of the Australian Film Commission, a federal statutory authority. 
 
He is currently a member of the Australian Committee for Human Rights Watch, a director of The Observership Program, The Conversation Media Group global board, and the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. Past positions have included the membership of the boards of The Sydney Dance Company, Aboriginal Arts and Crafts Pty Limited and the major organisations board of The Australia Council. 
 
He is Chairman of the Skrzynski family foundation, the Sky Foundation with programs relating to women’s rights, indigenous advancement, overseas aid, medical research and education. 

Caroline Stewart - PA Board Members 

Caroline is a philanthropic leader with over 25 years of corporate, legal, governance, diversity and not-for-profit experience. Caroline is the CEO of the Ecstra Foundation, a new organisation committed to empowering consumers and building the financial capability of all Australians. She previously led the UBS Australia Foundation, a Corporate Private Ancillary Foundation. 

Caroline is Co-Chair of Philanthropy Australia's Corporate Foundations Network and a member of the Audit & Risk Management Committee. Other current board commitments include WAGEC (Women and Girls Emergency Centre, Redfern), and as Deputy Chair of Lenity Australia, a PAF focused on supporting vulnerable families in Australia and Asia Pacific. She is past president of the Sancta Sophia Alumni Committee, Sydney University and has partnered with many community organisations across her career. Caroline holds a BA from Sydney University, is admitted as a Solicitor in NSW and the ACT and completed the AICD Company Directors Course in 2015. 

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