ABOUT
Helping ventures deliver more impact.
Helping ventures deliver more impact.
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Social Impact Partners Australia exists to strengthen the not-for-profit sector, helping organisations build the capability, clarity and structure needed to deliver greater impact over time.
We partner with purpose-driven organisations working to address disadvantage, combining strategic expertise with a commitment to accessibility. Because meaningful impact doesn't come from intention alone it comes from strong organisations, aligned leadership, and the ability to scale what works.
Because impact shouldn’t depend on what an organisation can afford.
VISION & PURPOSE
A stronger sector
delivering better
outcomes.
A stronger sector
delivering better
outcomes.
VISION
Our Vision for the sector is ‘an innovative
not-for-profit (NFP) sector delivering better outcomes for people experiencing disadvantage’.
PURPOSE
Strengthening the NFP sector in Australia by applying venture philanthropy principles. We build the capability of innovative NFP organisations who are focused on removing barriers in the lives of young people experiencing disadvantage so they have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
APPROACH
We apply a venture philanthropy approach combining strategic support, practical expertise, and long-term partnership to help organisations grow beyond funding cycles and build sustainable impact.
OUR PEOPLE
Experience, applied with purpose.
Experience, applied with purpose.
Our team is made up of experienced professionals - leaders, operators, and specialists - who bring deep expertise across strategy, governance, marketing, finance, and organisational transformation.
We are not traditional consultants. We work as partners, applying our experience in a way that is practical, collaborative, and grounded in the realities of the sector.
This approach allows us to deliver senior-level capability where it’s needed most, while helping organisations build strength from within.
Paul Higgins
Chair
Strategy, governance and social impact leader helping organisations navigate complexity, strengthen capability and create meaningful, lasting change.
Rob Heselev
Director
Experienced executive and advisor specialising in business transformation, leadership, growth strategy and organisational performance.
Melissa Grenville
Director
Fundraising and partnerships specialist supporting organisations to grow sustainable income, strengthen relationships and increase impact.
Charlotte Rendle-Short
Director
Leadership and governance expert helping organisations build capability, develop leaders and create high-performing cultures.
Denise Goldfinch
Chief Executive Officer
NFP executive with expertise in strategy, organisational transformation, mergers, service innovation and delivering community impact at scale.
Lorna Carey
Director & Treasurer
Commercial and financial management specialist helping organisations strengthen operations, improve sustainability and make confident decisions for long-term impact.
Tony Morgan
Director
Finance, operations and risk specialist helping organisation achieve growth and sustainability.
Stuart Grenville
Partner
Strategic advisor and executive leader helping organisations navigate growth, strengthen governance and achieve sustainable impact.
Shelley Beeston
Consultant
Experienced people and culture leader supporting organisations to build capability, strengthen leadership and create thriving workplace cultures.
David Legge
Partner
Experienced business leader supporting organisations through strategy development, organisational improvement and effective execution.
Mark Jankelson
Partner
Commercial and financial advisor helping organisations strengthen governance, improve performance and achieve sustainable growth.
Ian Adair
Partner
Governance and leadership specialist supporting organisations to build capability, strengthen boards and enhance organisational effectiveness.
Wayne Saunders
Partner
Operations and change management expert helping organisations improve performance, navigate complexity and deliver lasting results.
Sharin Milner
Partner
Partnerships and stakeholder engagement specialist helping organisations build meaningful relationships and create greater community impact.
Abhijit Gupta
Consultant
Technology and cybersecurity executive helping organisations manage risk, strengthen governance and leverage technology to achieve strategic goals.
Tom Allen
Consultant
Strategy and innovation advisor helping organisations identify opportunities, solve complex challenges and drive sustainable growth.
Subha Chari
Consultant
Driving technology strategy through to execution, scaling startups into enterprises, and advocating for women, migrants and women of colour in tech.
Gina McCartney
Partner
Growth and transformation leader helping organisations strengthen strategy, accelerate growth and turn ambitious ideas into measurable outcomes.
BOARD & GOVERNANCE
Rigour, accountability and stewardship.
Rigour, accountability and stewardship.
Social Impact Partners Australia is governed by an experienced Board who provide strategic oversight, ensure accountability and guide the long-term direction of the organisation.
Our governance model reflects a commitment to stewardship, transparency and disciplined decision-making ensuring we
operate with integrity and a clear focus on long-term outcomes.
Paul Higgins
Chair
Paul is a futurist, strategist and experienced board director who helps organisations navigate uncertainty and prepare for what’s next. Through his work with Emergent Futures and across commercial, government and social impact sectors, he brings deep expertise in strategic foresight, governance and systems thinking. Paul was also the Lead Partner for SVPM’s first investee, 100 Story Building.
Rob Heselev
Director
Rob is a senior technology leader and former Executive Partner with Gartner Executive Programs. He brings extensive experience in digital transformation, innovation and executive advisory, helping organisations harness technology to drive growth, improve performance and support emerging ventures.
Melissa Grenville
Director
Melissa is a strategic advisor and fundraising specialist with experience across global organisations including UNICEF, Coca-Cola and Diageo. She brings expertise in revenue growth, stakeholder engagement, marketing and strategic planning, helping organisations build sustainable impact and stronger partnerships.
Charlotte Rendle-Short
Director
Charlotte is an experienced education leader, executive and consultant with a passion for leadership development and organisational effectiveness. Drawing on senior executive experience with United Learning in the UK, she helps organisations build capability, strengthen culture and drive meaningful change.
Tony Morgan
Director
Tony is a finance, operations, risk and project delivery specialist with a background in the finance sector. He helps organisations position themselves for growth and achieving their objectives through financial and operational strength and efficient delivery of projects.
Lorna Carey
Director & Treasurer
Lorna is a commercial and financial leader with more than 25 years' experience across ASX200 and not-for-profit organisations. Lorna brings expertise in finance, governance, risk and operational leadership, helping purpose-led organisations strengthen capability, improve sustainability and achieve lasting impact.
OUR HISTORY
From engaged
philanthropy to
impact partnership.
From engaged
philanthropy to
impact partnership.
Over many years, Social Venture Partners Melbourne has built a strong legacy of bringing people, purpose and funding together to drive meaningful social change.
As we evolve into Social Impact Partners Australia, we’re building on that foundation with a broader vision, creating a modern, flexible model that includes both pro and low bono services, that helps organisations access the strategic, operational and funding support needed to deliver impact at scale. It’s an evolution grounded in our history, but designed for what social impact needs next.
As we evolve into Social Impact Partners Australia, we’re building on that foundation with a broader vision, creating a modern, flexible model that includes both pro and low bono services, that helps organisations access the strategic, operational and funding support needed to deliver impact at scale. It’s an evolution grounded in our history, but designed for what social impact needs next.
2013 - 2024
Established in Melbourne as part of a global movement to rethink traditional philanthropy shifting from passive funding to active,
skills-based partnership.
2021 - 2024
Our model evolved. We expanded into structured, high-quality advisory support, formalising both pro bono and low bono engagements.
2024 - 2025
A focus on supporting not-for-profits working with young people experiencing disadvantage, combining financial contributions with hands-on expertise.
TODAY
As Social Impact Partners Australia, we build on that foundation because to create lasting impact, organisations need more than funding. They need capability, clarity and the right support at the right time.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of lands on which we work and live. We recognise the continuous living culture of First Nations peoples and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all First Nations peoples and their communities.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of lands on which we work and live. We recognise the continuous living culture of First Nations peoples and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all First Nations peoples and their communities.
Social Venture Partners Melbourne Ltd. trading as Social Impact Partners Australia.SIPA est. Melbourne 2013. Website by APDi BRANDING + CREATIVE AGENCY / Getting Traction
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