Women in Social Enterprise Champions

Ending Modern Slavery. I am a businesswoman who creates opportunities for every Australian to do something to end slavery in Australia and help people who have survived this crime. While people are being exploited in our country I will do what I can to work toward helping them escape the injustice, raise awareness of the issue and I invite others to help fight this crime.

With over 14 years of experience working with survivors of modern slavery, in Australia and Europe, I launched The Freedom Hub in 2014 to specifically work to end slavery in our country, rehabilitate victims of this crime and partner in the fight to end global slavery.

Kate founded WorkLife in 2017 to create for herself the coworking community she so desperately needed to balance her consulting work in Sydney, with her local tree-changing life in Berry NSW. Since then WorkLife has grown to a community of 120 members across two sites- Berry & Coledale- with a 3rd site in Picton opening August 2023.

Endlessly curious, she cares deeply about subjects as diverse as arts, the built environment, NFP governance and sustainability, digital culture, board diversity, building our regional economies, sustainability, saving the media from itself and social ventures.

Marcelle Bernard BPsych, DTM is your go-to guru for transforming individuals and teams into peak performers and successful leaders by eliminating subconscious saboteurs and maximising interpersonal ‘soft’ skills. Marcelle has delivered programs to over 20,000 graduates in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, India, and Bangkok, and has positively impacted over 500,000 youth graduates in Australia and New Zealand.

As the author of "Stand Up, Speak Up," Marcelle brings fun and a wealth of knowledge in confidence, effective communication, and persuasive public speaking. With decades of experience in human resource management and business operations, she grew her second business to 160 staff and over 400 clients by mastering cognitive biases, psychological sciences, high interpersonal intelligence, cultural intelligence, positive intelligence, emotional responsibility, consensus-based decision-making, collaborative communication, Neurolinguistic Programming, adult and youth education and training, dynamic governance, and inclusive leadership.

Katie is a sought-after strategist in communications and social impact. Having spent many years working with First Nations leaders, organisations and communities, Katie has the skills and experience to develop inclusive strategies that enable lasting relationships built on trust.

While working in Federal Government for more than a decade, Katie gained a good understanding of how the systems and funding work to help achieve community aspirations. She was the Director of Strategy at 33 Creative for 6 years, supporting the team to develop impactful strategies and campaigns.

In 2023 she completed a post graduate certificate in Social Impact with the UNSW Centre for Social Impact and is a freelance strategy consultant.

Description goes heVivi is passionate about people, cultures, sports, and teamwork. She believes meaningful change starts within and values active participation in solving problems and uncovering personal power.

I want to help social entrepreneurs build organisations where people are deeply engaged and passionate about their mission but also maintain a healthy balance. The goal is to create workplaces that nurture long-term commitment and well-being. I may start by focusing on my geographic area, or by connecting with social enterprises from less represented groups.re

Nandeeta Maharaj is the founder of Goods 4 Good, an online marketplace dedicated to connecting socially conscious consumers with impact-driven products from Australian social enterprises. With over 20 years of marketing experience, Nandeeta left the corporate world to pursue her passion for creating positive social change through business.

Since launching Goods 4 Good in 2021, Nandeeta has worked to build a vibrant network of social enterprises addressing challenges in areas like poverty alleviation, environmental sustainability, mental health, and animal welfare.

Her vision is to create a unified platform that amplifies the efforts of Australia’s 12,000+ social enterprises, making it easier for consumers to discover and support businesses that align with their values. Nandeeta is committed to strengthening the social enterprise ecosystem by fostering collaboration, raising awareness, and building a community of changemakers who use commerce as a force for good. Through Goods 4 Good, she hopes to make ethical shopping accessible, impactful, and inspiring for all Australians.

Driven by an unwavering vision to create lasting social impact, I am dedicated to educating, elevating, and delivering what others overlook. At the heart of my work is economic security, achieved through financial literacy, mindset development, and understanding belief systems.

By seeing what others miss and listening to the unspoken, I facilitate transformative change. My approach builds human connections that spark ripple effects, influencing change from grassroots to government. Rooted in ethics, integrity, and respect, I unlock new possibilities, empowering individuals and communities to realize their potential and create generational impact.

Karen Hedley is passionate about disability rights, inclusion and accessibility, with a particular focus on sharing information via easy-to-read materials. With over 30 years’ in the disability sector, Karen's experience spans a wide range of areas, including policy development, training, and founding The Easy Read Toolbox. She has worked with many government, university and disability sector clients to promote the use of accessible communication.

Karen's work has been recognized through numerous awards and accolades, highlighting her impact on the community and her dedication to making the world a more inclusive place. In addition to her professional achievements, Karen is a woman with disabilities, mother of 3 autistic young people, and actively shares her knowledge with those interested. I’m interested in supporting a mix of people in the ACT and people in the disability or diversity sector.

Rebel Black is a human agronomist and syntropic entrepreneur dedicated to empowering rural, regional, and remote women to develop impactful social enterprises.

As the founder of THE RW Collection, Rebel supports community-minded entrepreneurs in building wealth and leaving lasting legacies. With over 24 years of experience in community development, Rebel has secured approximately $50 million in funding and investment and led transformative initiatives, including the successful 'community exit' of her company to THE Rural Woman Cooperative, which she co-founded. Rebel and her husband also operate a social enterprise in Lightning Ridge, fostering micro businesses in food, accommodation, education, and performance.

Recognised nationally and globally, Rebel has received numerous awards, including NSW Woman of the Year Finalist and Jury’s Choice in the Global Women in Tech Committed to helping women #thrive, #heal, and #evolve, Rebel is building networks that inspire resilience, innovation, and community impact.

Natalie Bramble brings nearly 30 years of experience in community development and organisational capacity building. She has dedicated her working and volunteering roles to guide not-for-profits, charities, and social enterprises and equip them with essential business skills and knowledge to enhance their impact and sustainability. Natalie believes in collaboration and is passionate about helping communities build stronger, sustainable organisations.

As the co-founder of Certified Social Enterprise, NFP Guide, Natalie leads a team that provides resources, training, and consultancy services tailored specifically for the nonprofit sector. NFP Guide focuses on enhancing the governance, funding, and management capabilities of organisations, ensuring they can operate effectively and sustainably. Natalie has been instrumental in developing an online learning library, removing barriers of access to affordable sector learning.

iClick2Learn supports boards, staff and volunteers to govern, fund and manage their organisations. Under her leadership, iClick2Learn has won multiple awards, including recognition at the LearnX Industry Awards for its innovative eLearning solutions. Natalie is also the author of "Win the Grant" a comprehensive guide designed to help organisations navigate the grant application process effectively.

I’m a purpose-driven marketing professional, curious thinker, and impact advocate passionate about fostering meaningful connections and amplifying positive change. With a strong foundation in B2B marketing, event management, and client service delivery, I’ve built my career on driving results through thoughtful strategy, proactive problem-solving, and a people-first approach. Whether managing marketing initiatives or leading pro-bono projects, I’m energised by the chance to align business objectives with meaningful impact.

As a Champion for the Women in Social Enterprise Program, I’m dedicated to strengthening networks in the social enterprise sector, with a focus on fostering collaboration and connection for women-led enterprises across NSW and ACT.

I’m inspired by the opportunity to collaborate, amplify impact, and help shape a future where business and meaningful outcomes go hand in hand. My interests lie at the intersection of social enterprise, mental health, and holistic wellbeing. I envision creating a network that connects social enterprises working in these areas, encouraging knowledge-sharing and collaboration to amplify their collective impact and enhance community resilience.

Bianca is passionate about sustainability, circular economy, and building community! She loves bringing people together through fun, engaging workshops and events that spark environmental awareness and inspire practical, achievable action.

Bianca hosts SECNAs Business for Good Lunch in Newcastle every quarter, where she helps to bring people across the region together to connect and grow the community of individuals doing business for good!

Bianca recently co-founded The Full Circle Collective, a circular economy retail and community hub in the heart of Newcastle, and is actively building a social enterprise network of passionate individuals dedicated to driving meaningful change and creating a powerful ripple effect within their community.

Nora Fraser is an award-winning social entrepreneur and advocate for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). As the founder of The Multicultural Professional Network and Equi Consultancy Partners, Nora is passionate about driving meaningful change in both the private and public sectors. Her work centres on creating opportunities that empower individuals and organisations to achieve inclusive, sustainable social impact.

She has successfully led diversity and inclusion programs for global corporations across Australia, Europe, and the UK. In 2024, Nora was recognised with the Business for Good National Game Changer Award by Social Traders and named Changemaker of the Week by Pro Bono Australia. She was also a finalist in The CEO Magazine's Executive of the Year Awards (Non-Profit category) and the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards. Known for her tenacity, resilience, authenticity, and visionary thought leadership, Nora fearlessly challenges the status quo. Beyond her corporate endeavours, she is a dedicated volunteer with inclusion-focused organisations and serves as a mentor, contributing to the development of the next generation of leaders.

As a Women in Social Enterprise Champion, Nora is committed to building a strong network for women social entrepreneurs from all backgrounds. Her mission is to foster collaboration, amplify diverse perspectives, and strengthen the social enterprise sector to create lasting impact.

With her innovative approach, resilience, and dedication to equity, Nora continues to lead efforts that empower communities and champion inclusive practices, inspiring the next generation of changemakers.