CSI Swinburne Research for Social Impact Series

Seminar 2: Creative Philanthropy

Friday 23 June 2023

12:00pm – 1:00pm

In our second seminar in this Series, we will explore the theme of Creative Philanthropy.

Philanthropy can be seen as harnessing creativity in many ways. Firstly, the importance of Philanthropy as a supporter of The Arts, creative endeavours and communities is well recognised. The process of Philanthropy can also be creative in and of itself. Increasingly, we are seeing examples of innovative approaches to Philanthropy that enable positive progress on some of our most entrenched social issues. Creativity in Philanthropy is an important part of enabling positive social change.

By drawing on leading research and practice, this seminar seeks to highlight the opportunity presented by applying creativity as a principle of Philanthropy.

Our Speakers

Krystian Seibert: Associate Commissioner, Productivity Commission

Krystian Seibert has extensive experience shaping policy and regulatory frameworks, with a particular focus on the not-for-profit sector and philanthropy. He currently serves as an Associate Commissioner at the Productivity Commission, where he is part of the team leading its wide-ranging philanthropy inquiry.

Krystian was previously an Industry Fellow with the Centre for Social Impact Swinburne and the Advocacy and Insight Manager at Philanthropy Australia. He has also worked as an adviser to a former Australian Assistant Treasurer in the Australian Government, a role in which he managed the delivery of major not-for-profit sector reforms such as the establishment of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.

He is also Chair of Mental Health First Aid Australia, a Melbourne-based organisation with global reach, which is focused on providing high-quality, evidence-based mental health first aid education to everyone.

Georgia Mathews: Director of Philanthropic Services, Australian Communities Foundation

Georgia Mathews is Director of Philanthropic Services at Australian Communities Foundation, where she leads the team supporting more than 480 fund holders and private clients with philanthropic strategy, compliance, and collective giving.

Georgia founded GiveOUT in 2016, a philanthropic organisation and for LGBTIQ+ communities, and is currently Chair. She has previously worked at Inner North Community Foundation, Social Ventures Australia and Australians Investing in Women, and holds a Master of Social Investment and Philanthropy from the Centre for Social Impact at Swinburne University of Technology; a Bachelor of Arts from Melbourne University (History; Gender Studies) and a Certificate in Not-for-Profit Governance from the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Georgia has dedicated her career to the redistribution of power and resources toward progressive, systemic change.

Sharon Nathani: PhD Candidate

Sharon Nathani is a PhD candidate at the Centre for Social Swinburne. She is currently undertaking a PhD on Philanthropy and the Arts, which draws on her background in arts administration, finance and philanthropy. Sharon aims to submit her final PhD thesis by year-end and she has been invited to present her research at the upcoming 11th International Research Conference of the European Research Network On Philanthropy in Zagreb, Croatia in late June.

Q&A

Following individual presentations from our speakers, Dr Graham Dwyer will lead an interactive panel discussion and Q&A, providing an opportunity for audience members to engage directly with our speakers.

Do not miss this opportunity to learn from academics, students, and industry representatives with a shared interest in Creative Philanthropic Partnerships and social impact.

The Research for Social Impact Seminar Series

The Research for Social Impact Seminar Series brings to life Swinburne University and the Centre for Social Impact (CSI) Swinburne's strategic objectives of building a more equitable and sustainable world through social entrepreneurship and technology, integrating research, education, and practice.

Hosted by CSI Swinburne, the Series aims to provide an engaging, accessible platform to showcase and explore work being undertaken by academics, industry, and higher degree students.

Each of the events in the Series highlights a topic of importance to the social impact ecosystem and features individual presentations from academics, industry practitioners and Higher Degree by Research students, followed by a panel discussion and interactive audience Q&A.