Pro Bono Australia’s editorial advisory board is made up of key individuals working across the spectrum of the social sector who can provide our news team with expert insight and inform our news service by contributing ideas and articles.
While the role of the board is to advise and help inform the overall direction of the news service, editorial control remains with the editor.
Members are appointed for one year.
Belinda DrewBelinda is CEO of Community Services Industry Alliance and has been the driving force behind CSIA since its inception. Under her leadership, CSIA has become a collaborative, innovative organisation, building strong relationships across industry and government to advance the community services industry through doing business better. She holds a range of advisory and board roles across community services and social enterprise. She is the chair of Social Enterprise Finance Australia (SEFA), a director of the National Affordable Housing Consortium and a director of the Community Services Industry Portable Long Service Leave Authority Board.
Natalie is CEO of Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal. With a 25-year career in the not-for-profit and philanthropic sector in consulting, fundraising and partnerships, and organisation development roles, Natalie is passionate about facilitating effective and enduring responses to issues facing rural communities. Since becoming CEO of FRRR in 2015 she has led the organisation through a period of significant growth and impact, facilitating over $80 million in funding to remote, rural, and regional communities through hundreds of partnerships and collaborations. Natalie holds a B. Social Science (Public Policy/Research/Public Relations), Grad Dip Applied Science (Organisation Dynamics), and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
El is a disability advocate and award winning writer. El works in communications and systemic advocacy, and is a disabled person.
Hayley is a proud Darumbal and South Sea Islander. She is a passionate advocate for Indigenous social justice and ending education inequality. She is the national coordinator and co-founder of the National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition, which is focused on asserting Indigenous rights to education. She is director of The Song Room and co-chair of Learning Creates Australia. She is a former member of the UN Secretary General’s Global Education First Initiative Youth Advocacy Group.
Prashan is the founder and CEO of Chuffed.org – a global social justice crowdfunding platform, backed by Blackbird Ventures and the Telstra Foundation, that has supported over 13,000 campaigners to raise $75 million. At Chuffed.org, he created the Social Benefit Company legal structure for Australian social enterprises. Prashan started his career as a management consultant with Port Jackson Partners before working in south western China with the International Finance Corporation on microfinance programs. Back in Australia, he spent four years working with Social Ventures Australia supporting not for profits, corporate social teams and foundations on their strategy, measurement and evaluation and fundraising plans.
Mark is CEO of Volunteering Australia, the national peak body for volunteering. Driven by a strong belief in the power of compassion, Mark applies the skills and expertise he gained over his 27-year financial markets career with; JBWere, Macquarie Bank, NAB Asset Management to helping organisations which reduce suffering. As a non-executive director of the Community Council of Australia, and on the board of sustainable food company, Growrs Ltd. Mark is keen to advance equity and opportunity across our society. In addition to a passion for human rights, Mark is active in fighting for animal rights and is deputy chair of Australia’s leading animal protection organisation, Animals Australia.
Cara is a Yawuru/Bunuba woman, lawyer, social innovator and entrepreneur strongly committed to fostering access and opportunity for communities. Having worked in the government, not-for-profit and corporate sectors she co-founded The Cultural Intelligence Project in 2018. She has worked in regional communities in Australia, Canada and the USA, focusing on stakeholder liaison and engagement, corporate social responsibility, program development and project management. Cara co-founded Make It Happen HQ in 2020. She is also chair and founder of Saltwater Country, and she sits on various boards and global working groups including but not exclusive to the National Rural Women’s Coalition, Nexus Global, and the Museum of Freedom and Tolerance.
David is the chief executive officer of Greenpeace Australia Pacific. A widely published commentator on politics, law, history and current affairs, David’s most recent book is The Coal Truth: The Fight to Stop Adani, Defeat the Big Polluters and Reclaim our Democracy. He holds honorary affiliations with the Sydney University and the University of Western Australia. Prior to joining Greenpeace, David was one of Australia’s leading Indigenous rights lawyers.
A former professional tennis player, Kaushik is an experienced and purpose-driven environmental, social and governance (ESG) and sustainability leader with over 14 years’ experience developing and implementing ESG programs, strategies, and initiatives focusing on improving business’ financial bottom line and contribution to society while reducing their environmental impacts. Kaushik has also worked as an adjunct lecturer at Australian Institute of Business, Kaplan Business School, Monash University, University of Melbourne and RMIT University. He is widely published in Australian and international peer-reviewed journals. He has presented at conferences in Australia, Asia and Europe. He holds a PhD and MBA from Macquarie Business School.
Click here to see the members of our inaugural editorial advisory board.
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