The Power of Philanthropy to Unlock Transformative Change

Join Australian Progress for a frank and inspiring conversation about how we can unlock the courage and collaboration needed in this moment to drive systemic change.

Speakers include Dr Jackie Huggins AM, Caterina Giorgi, Adam Knobel and Kirsty Albion, who collectively have decades of experience winning important campaigns from First Nations justice, to marriage equality, climate and public health. Plus special guest Joanna Kerr (Canada).

Expect a frank conversation moving between analysis and storytelling: What is keeping us stuck when the stakes have never been higher? What are winning movements doing differently to drive lasting change? What role can philanthropy play in unlocking a more equitable and just future?

Australian Progress is uniquely placed to host this session; as the convener of thousands of social changemakers each year, we hold a birds-eye view of the sector and can talk through the trends, opportunities and pathways for collaboration, to bring about lasting change.

Who is this session for: Philanthropic leaders and staff from philanthropic trusts and foundations who want to create the future, leveraging their funding to drive bolder, systems-level change.

Who is Australian Progress: We build the capacity, connections and courage of social movements to advocate and win. Learn more here: https://www.australianprogress.org.au

Details

• What: Join civil society leaders and Australian Progress for a frank and inspiring conversation over breakfast, about how we can drive systemic change in this moment.

• When: 7:30 - 8:45am Thursday 10th September

• Where: Sky 1 Room, Sky Level, BCEC, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (Grey St, South Brisbane QLD)

SPEAKER BIOS

Kirsty Albion

CEO Australian Progress

At the helm of Australian Progress since the pandemic began, Kirsty has led her team to train thousands of social changemakers, convene hundreds of nonprofits and deliver groundbreaking collaborations. Previously, Kirsty served for five years as National Director of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, running high-impact campaigns to protect the reef, grow renewable energy and keep fossil fuels in the ground. She grew the organisation three-fold to the largest team focused on climate campaigning in the country. Kirsty has trained more than 10,000 young people in campaigning, communication, organising, and supporting the growth of the Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network. Kirsty is the recipient of numerous awards including Young Tasmanian of the Year 2010 and the Prime Minister’s Young Environmentalist of the Year.

Adam Knobel

Deputy CEO, Australian Progress

Adam is an experienced non-profit leader who has worked on public education, community health, and LGBTIQ+ reforms. Previously, he worked as Communications and Campaigns Director and Acting Chief Executive Officer at the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, working across public policy advocacy campaigns and large-scale health promotion programs. He was also the Digital Campaign Director at Australian Marriage Equality and was recently the Communications Director at Yes23 to support during the Voice referendum. His passion is building the capacity of social change advocates across communications, strategy, organisational development, and change.

Caterina Giorgi

Chair, Australian Progress Board. Founder, For Purpose

Caterina is a not-for-profit leader with more than 15 years experience working for purpose-driven organisations. She is the Founder and Partner of For Purpose, and was previously the CEO of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), and a Founding Member of Women in Public Health. She is an ambassador for National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (NOFASD) and has served on the boards of YMCA Canberra and Fair Agenda. She holds an honours degree in public health, was a finalist in the 2015 ACT Young Woman of the Year Awards, and is a fellow of the Centre for Australian Progress and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Professor Jackie Huggins

Historian, advocate and Elder in Residence, Australian Progress + Common Threads

Professor Jackie Huggins AM FAHA is Bidjara and BirriGubba Juru. She is currently Director of Indigenous Research, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, Herston campus, Brisbane. She recently completed a role as Honorary Professor, Centre for Deep History, Australian National University. Her other roles include POU Atlantic Fellows Social Equity (Melbourne University); Director, National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth and Justice (Federation University Victoria); Co-Chair, National Apology Foundation; Elder in Residence, Australia Progress; Steering Committee Member for Passing the Message Stick and Common Threads; and Elder in Residence, Australian Broadcasting Commission. Professor Huggins is in demand as a speaker, mentor, writer, advisor with over four decades experience in community, academia, government and non-government sectors

Joanna Kerr (Canada)

Founder and Principal of Nuthatch. Former Executive Director of Greenpeace Canada

Joanna Kerr is a globally recognised leader, strategist, and executive coach who works at the intersection of climate and nature, Indigenous rights, social justice, and long‑term systemic change. She has led major global organisations including the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID), ActionAid International, Greenpeace, and MakeWay. Joanna has worked in more than 50 countries to advance Indigenous‑led, community‑centred and regenerative approaches to climate and social equity. She is the Founder and Principal of NutHatch, where she partners with philanthropists and systems‑change leaders to help them see more clearly, lead with courage, and invest in futures where people and planet can thrive. ​