Experience

Ondru

• Australia
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founder & CEO

  • Jun 2009 - Present

  Ondru (Tamil; ஒன்று) n. one, equality; v. become one with. Ondru means the place where people and ideas come together and where diversity unites. Ondru is a Melbourne-based non-profit humanitarian organisation working towards a more connected, compassionate and equitable society. We use art to provoke thought, evoke feeling and inspire change on issues of social justice. We make people think, feel and act through pioneering art projects that give voice to silent, unheard and misunderstood human stories that express the human condition. Our projects touch upon social justice issues and experiences such as identity and displacement, Indigenous experience, homelessness, health and well-being and war and violence and. Projects are delivered locally and internationally using many forms of art including photography, theatre, dance, film, music, sculpture, poetry, painting, digital projections, mural and public art installation. Our most known project is Voiceless Journeys, an art project that aims to celebrate the cultural diversity and raise awareness about the journey, struggle, survival and achievements of people from diverse backgrounds – people who were impacted by displacement.



Department of Education

• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Manager

  • Jan 2018 - Present

  Leading the access and equity area within Higher Education and Skills with the drive to help Victorians facing multiple barriers break the cycle of disadvantage through supported pathways in education and employment. Leading the access and equity area within Higher Education and Skills with the drive to help Victorians facing multiple barriers break the cycle of disadvantage through supported pathways in education and employment.



Victoria University

• Australia
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Sessional Lecturer

  • Jan 2022 - Dec 2022

  Lecturing in Community Development and related fields Lecturing in Community Development and related fields



Warrigunya Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation

• Facilitator

  • Sep 2020 - Oct 2021

  Facilitated workshops to support the development of the core ideology / institutional identity and organisational priorities. In addition, facilitated the development of a community led transformational centre in remote Victoria to support Aboriginal people impacted by the justice and social system to become an ‘empowered and connected being’ on a large regional property incorporating cultural inclusion, integrated health and wellbeing, support services, education, training and employment. Facilitated workshops to support the development of the core ideology / institutional identity and organisational priorities. In addition, facilitated the development of a community led transformational centre in remote Victoria to support Aboriginal people impacted by the justice and social system to become an ‘empowered and connected being’ on a large regional property incorporating cultural inclusion, integrated health and wellbeing, support services, education, training and employment.



Initiatives of Change

• Switzerland
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Advisor

  • Mar 2020 - Mar 2021

  Developed the experiential leadership program (Empowering Community Leadership Program) for young people to work in international development across the globe. Also developed an integrated organisational pathway to increase participation. Developed the experiential leadership program (Empowering Community Leadership Program) for young people to work in international development across the globe. Also developed an integrated organisational pathway to increase participation.



Eastern University Srilanka

• Higher Education
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Visiting Guest Lecturer

  • Jan 2014 - Dec 2019

  Focused on building local capacity and capability, on-the-ground social research, conducted lectures and workshops and set up a community empowerment initiative. Primary focus was on developing local leadership capacity and capability within students, emerging leaders and staff to improve social inclusion, entrepreneurism and access to support services, education and employment. Conducted lectures and workshops on how community projects can empower people and enable peace and trust building in communities impacted by war and violence.