Experience

Youth Inc.

• Australia
• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director & Executive Principal

  • 2017 - Present

  In 2017, I founded Youth Inc. Enterprise Academy with a vision to create a school that was deliberately different from conventional education. Our aim was not to be different for the sake of novelty but to respond to the genuine needs and aspirations of young people seeking alternative and inspiring ways to re-engage in learning.To embody this distinct approach, we remain steadfast in our shared values and demonstrate the courage to explore innovative methods. We have had to persevere against the pressure to conform to conventional practices. Now in its sixth year as a Special Assistance School, Youth Inc. has experienced remarkable growth, expanding from 36 students and 4 staff members to over 100 students and 24 staff members.Currently, I am leading the development of our second Youth Inc. Green campus as part of the major urban redevelopment in Forestville. Additionally, I am overseeing a new school incubation project called the Youth Inc. Learning Exchange. Through this initiative, we strive to inspire the creation of new and transformative school models that cater to the needs of young people who have disengaged from education across Australia. Show less

• General Manager

  • Jun 2011 - Aug 2017

  During my second tenure at Youth Inc., my primary focus revolved around developing exceptional enterprise education programs tailored to young people who have disengaged from education and employment. During this time, we observed a distressing trend where many of these young individuals struggled to identify their unique talents and lacked a clear sense of identity, purpose and direction.Motivated by the desire to make a substantial and lasting impact, we made the bold decision to establish our own school from the ground up. Our guiding principle was to "do more for longer" with these young people, with the genuine belief that our efforts could bring about positive change. We recognised the need for a fresh approach, one that would depart from the traditional educational model.In 2016, we took a momentous step towards expanding our influence by registering Youth Inc. as a Special Assistance School. This strategic move aimed to create inclusive learning and employment pathways directly addressing the underlying connection between educational disengagement and long-term unemployment.With the successful grant acquisition in September 2017, we underwent a transformative transition from being solely a charity organisation to a fully recognised educational institution. As a result, in early 2018, we opened our doors to enrol students, ensuring they had access to the educational opportunities they truly deserved. Show less

• General Manager

  • Jan 2008 - Jun 2012

  As General Manager at Youth Inc., I had the privilege of spearheading an initiative that focused on empowering and assisting long-term unemployed job seekers in finding meaningful employment. This initiative was designed in partnership with Adelaide’s Finest Supermarkets to connect individuals with a diverse network of industries, fostering inclusive opportunities for all.



Desert Knowledge Australia

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

• Director of Special Projects

  • Jun 2012 - May 2014

  During my tenure as Director of Special Projects at Desert Knowledge Australia, I had the privilege of actively participating in Aboriginal economic development initiatives based in Alice Springs. Collaborating closely with the local community, I gained a profound understanding of the multifaceted systemic challenges that contribute to the unmet needs of young Aboriginal people residing in these communities. This transformative experience greatly influenced my approach to community-driven co-design, social enterprise, and social innovation, which I have consistently sought to incorporate into my subsequent roles. Show less