Tara Anderson is the CEO of Social Traders, the national trailblazers in social enterprise procurement. Tara has a background in strategy, marketing, sales, innovation, business development and multi-partner alliances at executive and Board level. Tara has an MBA, Masters in Social Innovation and deep expertise across charities, social enterprises, intermediaries and consultancy in Australia, UK and Europe.

She has led large scale collaborations, designed and implemented organisational-wide strategies for growth and diversification, and repositioned brands for increased impact. She is a Founding Director at Social Enterprise Australia, the peak body for social enterprise.

Tara is passionate about the intersection between business and purpose.

Hannah leads programs and community engagement at the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation, bringing a background in Public Health. She has developed and overseen youth, school and community programs, ensuring they’re impactful, accessible and evidence-based. Hannah is passionate about creating spaces where individuals and communities can connect, grow and thrive.

Jackie oversees the strategic direction and daily operations of Western Chances, combining leadership, collaboration, and innovative thinking to guide the organisation’s growth and success. With more than 20 years’ experience in education, Jackie has partnered with government, business, and not-for-profit organisations to improve access, inclusion, and outcomes for diverse communities.

Ifrin brings extensive leadership experience across social enterprise and operations. Her leadership has helped grow SisterWorks from a grassroots charity into a respected social enterprise, underpinned by a strong passion for empowering women to build new lives and livelihoods.

The Hon. Wade Noonan leads Victoria University’s strategies in external engagement, advancement, marketing and student employment, delivering experiences and strategic partnerships that create impactful, excellent opportunities for students, staff and the communities we serve.

Aruna works with organisations in Melbourne’s West to co-design and deliver innovative learning programs in community-identified areas such as financial literacy and social enterprise. A strong advocate for local, strengths-based approaches, Aruna brings 15+ years of experience across entrepreneurship, leadership, education, humanitarian work, and community development in Melbourne, Australia, and internationally.

Andy is an experienced small business owner with a background in accounting, recruitment, sales and management.

Andy’s key objective at Local Impact is to help develop new community enterprises for the organisation. Andy is a passionate supporter of sustainable and equitable community development.

Giving back to the community drives me. As Chair of Local Impact I have an ongoing opportunity to create and support positive social change.

My roles give me the privilege of seeing across our organisation. Applying my Bachelor of Business Marketing degree, alongside experience in loyalty, membership and digital industries. My work advising clients on marketing and communications strategies, and mentoring university graduates and community groups, strongly supports what we do.