Featured Leaders 2022: Adapting to the changes in Australia’s third sector

Third Sector News has interviewed many Leaders and Industry Experts working to create positive change in Australia, regarding the hurdles, changes, and issues they and the organizations they serve are facing. The insights from this year’s Featured Leaders are outlined here: 

Leadership in the not-for-profit sector 

Lance Kawaguchi, CEO of Cure Brain Cancer Foundation and recipient of the CEO of the Year Award during Third Sector Awards 2022, talked about how urgency is of utmost importance when serving a community.  

Technology in the not-for-profit sector 

Andrew Hill, Regional Vice President of Salesforce.org ANZ, shared his insights on how cloud technology in transforming the way nonprofits can connect with their communities. In his interview, Andrew highlighted how adapting to cloud-based platforms helped streamline time-consuming processes and free staff to work on other tasks.  

Positive Impacts of Cancer Research  

Soozy Smith, CEO of Breast Cancer Trials discussed the results and positive impact their research has on not only the patients, their immediate families but also future generations. She highlighted that an independent report by QUT confirmed that their research positively impacted not only Australian and New Zealand women but international women too. 

Environmental Conservation 

Dermot O’Gorman, the CEO of World Wildlife Fund Australia, shared his insights on securing a sustainable future for people and nature. He emphasised how important it is to safeguard people and the environment against climate-driven disasters in light of the recent catastrophic weather events. 

Improving healthcare for people with disabilities 

Danielle Ballantine, Chief Executive Officer at Your Side Australia discussed how we as a community can focus on providing better care to people living with a disability by simply having a conversation with them.  

Supporting Rescue Animals 

Sasha Gusain, founder of Waldo’s Friends shared her insights on giving rescue animals a second chance through adoption as a preferred option of pet ownership. Sasha stated that the missing link between adoption and being successful as a pet owner is proper knowledge on how to care ad train your pet.  

Grief Counselling Services 

Adam Blatch, CEO at Feel the Magic highlighted the challenges in providing services to grieving families and the crucial considerations the Feel the Magic team should keep in mind when providing grief support.  

Experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth 

Jada Mundine, Project Support Officer at NSW Department of Planning and Environment and recipient of the Young Leader of the Year during Third Sector Awards 2022, talked about the stereotypes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth face.  

Creating an inclusive space for LGBTQ+ families 

Ashley Scott, Executive Director and one of the founders of Rainbow Families shared his insights on importance of providing safe spaces for LGBTQ+ parents and their children. Ashley reiterated that there is still a long way to go for same-sex parents to co-exist without any prejudices or judgement. 

This years Featured Leaders have highlighted that growth and progress made in the sector despite the challenges they, the organisations and communities they serve faced. The insights they’ve shared with Third Sector have helped provide invaluable knowledge for anyone wishing to grow within the sector. 

Third Sector has lined up more leaders and industry experts for our Featured Leader section in the coming year. For a complete and updated list, visit our Featured Leader page.  

If you would like to get in touch with us for an interview opportunity, message us today. 

Menchie Khairuddin

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Menchie Khairuddin is a writer Deputy Content Manager at Akolade and content producer for Third Sector News. She is passionate about social affairs specifically in mixed, multicultural heritage and not-for-profit organisations.

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