Speakers

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Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson

Governor of South Australia

Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC was born and grew up in South Australia.

In June 2021, Her Excellency was made a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to public administration through the advancement of Australia’s diplomatic, trade and cultural interests, particularly with the People’s Republic of China and the Indo-Pacific region, to innovative foreign policy development and high level program delivery, and as the 36th Governor appointed in South Australia.

She is also a Dame of Grace of the Order of St John and patron of some 120 organisations in her own right and more than 50 jointly with her husband Rod.

Dr Catherine Earl

CEO

SACOSS

Dr Catherine Earl joined SACOSS in July 2025 and is a seasoned policy and advocacy leader with over 15 years’ experience in government relations, campaign strategy, and social policy reform. Prior to this role, she held Policy Director roles at major national and state organisations, and served as chief-of-staff to a SA Senator.

She holds a PhD in Social Science from the University of South Australia, a Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) from Flinders University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Labour Studies from the University of Adelaide.

With a foundation in social work, research, and executive leadership, Dr Earl brings a deep commitment to equity, evidence-based policy, and collaborative change.

Dr Greg Ogle

Senior Policy and Research Analyst

SACOSS

Greg Ogle has worked as Senior Policy Analyst at SACOSS for 15 years, focusing mainly on issues of economics, housing and digital inclusion, as well as sector funding issues.

On behalf of the sector, he co-led negotiations with the state government which resulted in sector-wide indexation and the adoption of standardised contracts in 2019, and he is currently doing further work on indexation issues and researching the costs and benefits of the Portable Long Service Scheme.

He has a PhD in political economy, but does a reasonable line in bush-lawyering as well.

Kay Burton

Founder

SA Philanthropic Network

Kay Burton founded the SA Philanthropy Network with a simple yet powerful goal: to unlock South Australia’s potential for community giving. With over 15 years of experience across the US and Australia, her work spans government, education, health, and philanthropy.

Originally from the US, Kay held senior roles with the University of Maine System and US Senator Susan Collins before moving to Adelaide. She helped shape SAHMRI’s inaugural fundraising strategy and led state operations for Philanthropy Australia.

In 2018, she co-founded the Burton Foundation with her husband, Julian, gaining firsthand insights into the
challenges donors face and the opportunities for making generosity more impactful. That experience sparked the creation of the SA Philanthropy Network — a movement to make giving easier, more accessible, and more effective across South Australia.

Hon. Susan Close MP

Minister for Population and Workforce Strategy

Susan Close is the Deputy Premier of South Australia and the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water; Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science; and Minister for Workforce and Population Strategy.

Susan has been the Member for Port Adelaide since 2012.

Before entering parliament, Susan was an executive in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and played a key role in the establishment of the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary as a community advocate. She previously worked at the University of Adelaide managing student services and holds a PhD from Flinders University.

Hon. Vincent Tarzia MP

Shadow Minister for Workforce and Population Growth

Vincent is a proud member of the Liberal Party and was elected as the Member for Hartley at the 2014 State Election.

In August 2024, he was elected as the Leader of the Liberal Party and is also currently Shadow Minister for Business and Shadow Minister for Workforce and Population Growth.

Before politics, he worked as a solicitor in the financial, legal and commercial sectors.

Vincent is passionate about making South Australia more lively and prosperous. He wants real action to relieve cost of living pressures, to create more local jobs, to deliver better frontline services and to provide opportunities to get ahead.

David Panter

CEO

Minda Inc

Originally a psychologist David has worked in health and social care for over 45 years, over half of which has been as a Chief Executive. In the UK he initially worked in the NHS across hospital, community and primary care services and more latterly in local government. In 2004 

David was recruited to the South Australian public health system where for over 10 years he led reforms including the development of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital. From 2015-2022 David was the Chief Executive of not-for-profit aged care provider ECH. 

In January 2022 David became the Chief Executive at Minda, SA’s largest provider of services to people living with an intellectual disability. David was Chair of SACOSS and Board Director of ACOSS for eight years until the end of 2024. 

 

Stacey Thomas

CEO

The Wyatt Trust

Stacey is the CEO of The Wyatt Trust, Australia’s oldest philanthropic foundation with a vision of a South Australia free from poverty.

Stacey was also the Founding Chief Executive Officer of Foundation SA – South Australia’s newest community foundation and previously, the Fay Fuller Foundation. She has worked with families and foundations to achieve philanthropic and investment goals for twenty years.

Stacey holds a Master of Business majoring in Philanthropy and Social Investment. In addition to her role as a Director of Philanthropy Australia, Stacey is also a Director of Community Foundations Australia and serves on a number of other boards and advisory committees.

David Spriggs

CEO

InfoXChange

David Spriggs is the CEO of Infoxchange, a not-for-profit social enterprise driven by the vision of technology for social justice. He is passionate about creating a more digitally inclusive society and the role technology can play in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the community sector.

In addition to his role at Infoxchange, David is Chair of the Australian Digital Inclusion Alliance (ADIA) and Deputy Chair of Specialisterne Australia, working to create careers for people on the autism spectrum. David is also a Non-Executive Director of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, a charity dedicated to keeping children and young people safe from violence wherever they live, learn and play.

 

Juanita Pope

CEO

VCOSS

Juanita Pope is CEO of the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS), the peak body for social and community services in Victoria. A lawyer specialising in the not-for-profit sector, Juanita is a strong voice on social justice and has 20 years’ experience in not-for-profit governance and leadership.

Juanita previously worked for a decade at Justice Connect as Head of Not-for-profit Law and, before joining VCOSS, held the role of General Counsel and Company Secretary at climate advocacy charity, The Sunrise Project. Juanita has also practiced in corporate law and at the Federal Court of Australia. She holds degrees in law (with honours) and arts from the University of Melbourne.

Sean Hill

Camapigns and Organising Coordinator

SA Unions
As the Campaign & Organising Coordinator for SA Unions, Sean Hill is at the forefront of the union movement’s strategic initiatives in campaigns, media, and organising. Sean’s career is defined by his commitment to trade unionism and his unwavering dedication to building political, social, and economic power for working people.

Cara Varian

CEO

NCOSS

Cara is the Chief Executive Officer of NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS) and a strong advocate for equity, opportunity and dignity for all. NCOSS is the peak body for the social services sector and the leading advocate for people and communities who are experiencing poverty and disadvantage in NSW.

Prior to joining NCOSS, Cara worked across the not-for-profit, public service, political and corporate sectors. She has experience in the military and at all three levels of government in Australia.

Sue Woodward AM

Commissioner

Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission

Sue Woodward AM commenced as Commissioner of the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC) on December 12, 2022. Her career has spanned private legal practice, academia, government, philanthropy and the not-for-profit sector.

Sue played an instrumental role in the formation of the ACNC and has decades of experience working and volunteering in the sector, including as a board member on a range of peak, advocacy and service delivery charities and a community foundation. Her work establishing and then leading Justice Connect’s Not-for-profit Law service is a lasting contribution the sector.

Sue has a significant portfolio of law reform and policy work, with a notable focus on the harmonisation of charitable fundraising laws.

Sue was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 2021 for “significant service to the not-for-profit sector, fundraising and the law.

Rob Sturrock

Program Director - Community Services

ACOSS

Rob leads the community services policy work for ACOSS, having joined the organisation in 2021. 

He is passionate about improving the lives of disadvantaged and marginalised people, ensuring they can fairly and equitably access life opportunities. Rob wants to bring about systemic change to make Australia more equitable, compassionate and caring. 

Rob has been involved in public policy development, advocacy and research at various levels of government, as well as within the community and private sectors, including at the Centre for Policy Development as a Policy Director and at The Smith Family as Senior Manager Public Policy and Advocacy. .

Sandy Pitcher

Chief Executive

South Australian Department of Human Services

Sandy is an accomplished public-sector leader, with experience leading agencies to make significant contributions to public policy and deliver outcomes that improve people’s lives.

As Chief Executive of the South Australian Department of Human Services, Sandy is dedicated to promoting inclusion, independence, community support and modern services.
Prior to this role Sandy was Deputy Under Treasurer with the South Australian Department of Treasury and Finance.

She was the inaugural Secretary of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing in Victoria, an agency which includes child protection and women’s policy.

Sandy has also held roles with the SA Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, the UK’s Commission for Racial Equality and the South Australian Office for Women.

Danielle Elston

Presiding Officer

SAPLSL – Community Services Board

Danielle Elston chairs South Australia’s Community Services Portable Long Service Leave Board and is the Managing Director of national consulting firm Good Government Advisory. A strategist and facilitator, she partners with community organisations, unions and service providers to improve how vital social supports are funded and delivered. Drawing on two decades of leadership and governance experience, her consulting work focuses on practical solutions that help for-purpose organisations thrive.

Danielle also serves on the boards of the Pelvic Pain Foundation and the Australian Coalition for Endometriosis. Danielle also co-hosts The Westminster Tradition podcast, sharing insights on public trust and leadership.

 

Peter Lewis

Executive Director

Essential Media

Peter is an owner and director of Essential, and the founder of Civility, a collaborative engagement platform for advocacy campaigns. For more than two decades he has worked with progressive organisations including unions, not-for-profits and responsible businesses to deliver social change.

Peter is a regular columnist with the Guardian Australia, host of the Burning Platforms podcast, and the author of five books including Webtopia and The Public Square Project.

David Gilchrist

Professor David Gilchrist

Director

UWA Centre for Public Value

Professor David Gilchrist has worked in and around the human services sector for 30 years. He has held executive roles in, consulted to and been part of the governance team of various charitable human services organisations including in disability services, aged care and child protection. In all of these areas, David has contributed to policy and practice. Prior to joining the Academe, he was assistant auditor general for Western Australia and has taught at London School of Economics and Portsmouth University in the UK, and Curtin University and Edith Cowan University here in Australia. He was national associate dean of the business school at Notre Dame where he was also adjunct professor of Not-for-profit leadership.

David has researched in the areas of nonprofit sustainability, economics and governance and has written over 100 industry reports and papers focusing on key issues related to the sector. 

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MICHELE WACHLA

Michele is an accomplished social services professional with a dual background in Social Work and Business, bringing over 18 years of experience to her work. She has developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within Regional, Rural, and Remote (RRR) environments, particularly in South Australia. Michele is a recognised leader, known for her expertise in designing and implementing place-based initiatives that address the complexities of RRR communities. Her work is underpinned by strategic planning, effective resourcing, and a strong focus on policy review and advocacy to ensure that services remain relevant, equitable, and sustainable. Michele’s commitment to community-centred approaches drives meaningful outcomes, nurturing resilience, and growth across regional South Australia.

KHATIJA THOMAS

DAVE ADAMSON

Dave moved to Australia following a 30-year academic career in the UK. He has since worked in the Community Housing sector and authored the 2016 Towards a National Housing Strategy, and helped to establish the Everybody’s Home campaign. He also researches the interface between poverty and climate change and actively supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He has worked with government at all levels and has experience of policy development and evaluation. He is co-author of Sustainable Places: Addressing Social Inequality and Environmental Crisis (2022, Routledge). In his spare time he plays and builds guitars.

ROHAN FEEGRADE

Rohan is an experienced and forward-thinking CEO, senior executive and board director with demonstrated expertise across the not-for-profit, private and government sectors. Currently CEO of Lutheran Care, he has proven record for creating substantial organisational, stakeholder and client value, and has extensive experience in strategically positioning organisations for transformational change and growth within the health, disability, education and community service sectors. Rohan is a socially responsible professional, genuinely passionate about creating opportunities for people who live with disadvantage and disability, always acting ethically to serve those he works with and for.

JANE MUSSARED

Jane has worked in for purpose and government health and human service settings throughout her career. In June 2024 she returned to SA and joined the Maggie Beer Foundation as CEO following 20 months based in Canberra as an Advisor to the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care. Previously she was Chief Executive of COTA SA and before that an executive of ACH Group. Jane served on a range of boards and committees prior to moving to Canberra, including the SACOSS Policy Council until 2022, as chair of the South Australian Circus Centre and as a non-Executive Director with the Maggie Beer Foundation.

NANCY PENNA

Nancy has than 30 years of experience in South Australian community services, and a a unique understanding of the political and social landscape and the issues and opportunities facing South Australia. Currently responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of AnglicareSA’s community services portfolio, she has previously held executive roles in government within child protection and disability, with her executive experience underpinned by her earlier career as a social worker in child protection and youth justice. She is also Chair of the Child and Family Focus South Australia (CAFFSA) Board and most recently on the Housing Security for Older Women Taskforce.

NICOLE CHAPLIN

Nicole is a dedicated and experienced youth support professional, specialising in solutions for disadvantaged young people in South Australia. As CEO of St John’s Youth Services, she oversees innovative programs like youth110 and Foyer Port Adelaide. With over thirty years in the community sector, Nicole has built extensive networks and her expertise spans governance, service delivery, policy development, and partnerships. Recognised with the 2018 AHI Inspirational Leader Award, Nicole is an active participant in housing and homelessness networks. She holds leadership roles in various organisations, including Anglicare Australia’s National Reconciliation Network.

EMMA CROSBY

Emma is a chartered Accountant with more than 15 years experience as a board member, finance and business professional, strategic advisor and company secretary. She has strong values and a passion for enabling and leading organisations to meet its operational and strategic direction through long-term financial sustainability, operational efficiency, innovation, leadership, transformation and partnerships. As Treasurer and Board member at SACOSS, she is committed to successfully leading and making a purposeful impact to the organisation and its stakeholders.

David PANTER

David has worked in health and social care for almost 45 years, over half of which has been as a Chief Executive. In the UK he initially worked in the NHS and more latterly in local government, where he was Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove City Council. In 2004 David was recruited to the South Australian public health system for over 10 years leading reforms including the development of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital. From 2015-2022 David was the Chief Executive of not-for-profit aged care provider ECH. At the end of January 2022 David became the Chief Executive at Minda, SA’s largest provider of services to people living with an intellectual disability.