Programme Overview
Launch Party - Wentworth Bar
The Neilson
Featuring: Robyn King (CANVA), Ben Sze (Teacher's Buddy), Mike Gore (Charitabl.), Antonia Ruffell (Start Giving)
Philanthropy is no longer the domain of the few - it’s being reimagined by personal givers and global tech companies alike. In this dynamic conversation, join philanthropy advocate and tech founder Ben Sze, Canva’s Head of Social Impact Robyn King, and Founder + CEO of Charitabl. Mike Gore as they explore how deeply personal acts of generosity, corporate responsibility at scale, and the catalytic power of technology can enable world-shifting impact.
The Belgiorno
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The Seed
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The Studio
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The Popsy
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The Board Room
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The Conference Room
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Day 1 - State Theatre
The Neilson
Featuring: Robyn King (CANVA), Ben Sze (Teacher's Buddy), Mike Gore (Charitabl.), Antonia Ruffell (Start Giving)
Philanthropy is no longer the domain of the few - it’s being reimagined by personal givers and global tech companies alike. In this dynamic conversation, join philanthropy advocate and tech founder Ben Sze, Canva’s Head of Social Impact Robyn King, and Founder + CEO of Charitabl. Mike Gore as they explore how deeply personal acts of generosity, corporate responsibility at scale, and the catalytic power of technology can enable world-shifting impact.
The Belgiorno
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The Seed
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The Studio
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The Popsy
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The Board Room
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The Conference Room
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Day 1 - Impact Live
The Neilson
Featuring: Robyn King (CANVA), Ben Sze (Teacher's Buddy), Mike Gore (Charitabl.), Antonia Ruffell (Start Giving)
Philanthropy is no longer the domain of the few - it’s being reimagined by personal givers and global tech companies alike. In this dynamic conversation, join philanthropy advocate and tech founder Ben Sze, Canva’s Head of Social Impact Robyn King, and Founder + CEO of Charitabl. Mike Gore as they explore how deeply personal acts of generosity, corporate responsibility at scale, and the catalytic power of technology can enable world-shifting impact.
The Belgiorno
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The Seed
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The Studio
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The Popsy
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The Board Room
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The Conference Room
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Day 2 - Walsh Bay Wharf
The Neilson | For The Love of the Wild: How 'Ecopreneurs' are Rebuilding Australia’s Fragmented Ecosystems
Featuring: Robyn King (CANVA), Ben Sze (Teacher's Buddy), Mike Gore (Charitabl.), Antonia Ruffell (Start Giving)
In an era of climate anxiety and a growing biodiversity crisis, a new wave of 'Ecopreneurs' is proving that the most powerful tool for restoration is radical, focused innovation. Chaired by Tom Allen (Founder, Impact Boom and Hatch EiR), this panel brings together three trail-blazing winners of the Taronga: Hatch Accelerator Program who are turning their 'Love for the Wild' into tangible, scalable solutions. The panel will dive into the mechanics of Rehabitat’s post-disaster refuges, The Groundswell Collective’s community-driven rewilding, and Owls Eat Rats’ natural landscape management. This isn't just a talk about 'saving the trees'; it's a masterclass in how targeted entrepreneurship can repair the broken links in our biodiversity chain. Attendees will learn how to move from intention to impact and how practical climate action and biodiversity support is the key to driving lasting change.
Commercial #1 | It's Just Not Sexy: The Funding Gap No One Wants To Talk About
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This panel brings together four founders who have each knocked on those doors and been turned away. We'll talk honestly about what that looks like, what it costs communities, and who actually benefits from keeping these issues in the too-hard basket. Using audience participation and Chatham House Rules, we'll map shared barriers across the room and work together to build "Funding Principles for Uncomfortable Truths" that people can take back and use straight away.
The Belgiorno | Unlocking More Than Funding: How Australia's Non Profit & Tech Sectors Can Collaborate For Greater Impact
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Join an interactive session with the Atlassian Foundation, Canva, Airtrunk and Employment Hero to discuss social impact support beyond grantmaking. After rapid-fire introductions from each organisation, participants will move into intimate roundtable discussions to explore what’s working, what’s missing, and where the biggest opportunities lie. Whether you’re a nonprofit seeking new partnerships, a social enterprise looking to scale support, a funder wanting to sharpen your approach, a government representative exploring collaboration, or a corporate aiming to give more strategically, this session creates space for direct conversation and practical next steps. Expect honest insights, real examples, and meaningful connections that can turn interest into action.
The Seed | Big Ideas For Better Health
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The Studio
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The Popsy |
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The Board Room
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The Conference Room
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Keynote Speakers 2026
Olivia Khalili
Head of Atlassian Foundation
Olivia is Head of the Atlassian Foundation, which is helping to unleash the potential of social impact teams. The Atlassian Foundation has donated over US$85 million and empowered over 10,000 nonprofits worldwide with free or discounted tools.
With over 20 years of experience at the intersection of business and global impact, Olivia has built and scaled programs that harness cross-sector collaboration and innovation to tackle some of society's most pressing challenges.
This is the kind of leadership shaping the future of philanthropy and we can’t wait to hear from her at the Global Impact Summit.
Anita Sood
Microsoft Elevate Asia Commercial Operating Unit Lead
Anita Sood is a dynamic technology leader passionate about harnessing digital and AI innovation to drive positive, scalable social impact across Asia. With nearly two decades of experience across Microsoft, AWS and Cisco, she sits at the intersection of technology and purpose, partnering with nonprofits, NGOs, education systems and social enterprises to accelerate mission outcomes through secure cloud, AI and data driven transformation.
Anita’s expertise spans industry strategy and operations, ecosystem development, AI transformation, business development, and customer success. A strong advocate for diversity, accessibility and inclusion, she actively mentors emerging leaders, particularly women facing early life challenges, drawing inspiration from her mother’s journey as a refugee whose access to digital skills transformed her life.
As Microsoft Elevate Asia Commercial Operating Unit Lead, Anita leads regional go to market strategy, accessible skilling initiatives and partner led innovation designed to help impact driven organisations address urgent societal and environmental challenges. She is widely recognised for building high trust partnerships, operational excellence and cross team collaboration that translate strategy into measurable outcomes, particularly across Education (K 12) and the nonprofit sector.
Monika Tu
Founder & Director, Black Diamondz Property Concierge.
Monika Tu is one of Australia's most recognised figures in luxury real estate and high-net-worth client advisory. As the founder and director of Black Diamondz Group, she has built a business that sits at the intersection of premium property, lifestyle concierge, and cultural intelligence — with a particular specialisation in serving Chinese and international ultra-high-net-worth clients across the Australian market and beyond.
Over the course of her career, Monika has helped mobilise more than $500 million for charitable causes. She serves as Chair of the Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation Lunar New Year Celebration, Committee Member of the SCHF Gold Dinner, and Committee Member of the MCA Artists Ball — among a wide portfolio of philanthropic commitments that reflect her deep belief in giving back at scale.
Daniel Flynn
Co-Founder, Thank you.
Daniel Flynn is the co-founder and Managing Director of one of Australia’s most successful start-ups, Thankyou. At 19, driven by a vision to change the world we live in, he co-founded the social enterprise which is now globally recognised for its innovation, disruption, and impact. Daniel’s journey as a founder is marked by grit and unconventionality, pioneering Thankyou to redefine ‘business as usual’, and change the world we live in, forever. To date,
Thankyou has given over $19.34 million to impact partners in the fight against global poverty.
Sam Weidenhofer (@itssozer)
Creator Economy, Entrepreneur & Mental Health Activist.
Samuel Weidenhofer is content creator and mental health activist who is on a mission to prove that kindness, when acted upon, can change lives. From raising $2 million to retire an 88-year-old veteran to creating life-changing moments for terminally ill children, Sam has turned simple acts of compassion into a global movement. In 2025 alone, he raised over $7 million, was named GoFundMe’s No.1 Social Impact Creator, and was featured in more than 200 media outlets worldwide.
With over 15 million followers, Sam continues to inspire action through his 7 Day Kindness Challenge and his growing We Are Kindr movement, empowering individuals, schools, and workplaces to choose kindness every day.
Because for Sam, kindness is not just something we feel. It is something we do. And when we do it together, it becomes unstoppable.
House Band
Chris Sebastian
Artist, Winner of The Voice.
Chris Sebastian is an acclaimed Australian artist, songwriter, and storyteller whose music sits at the intersection of soul, faith, and lived experience. Known for his powerful vocals and deeply personal songwriting, Chris has built a career defined not just by talent, but by authenticity — using music as a vehicle for connection, healing, and hope.
As part of the Sebastian Foundation, Chris is actively engaged in supporting mental health initiatives and creating spaces for young people to feel seen, heard, and supported. His work extends beyond the stage, reflecting a belief that music has the power to reach people in ways few other mediums can.
As the House Band for the Global Impact Summit, Chris will help shape the emotional rhythm of the event — creating moments that move beyond conversation and into something felt. Because sometimes, the most powerful ideas aren’t just heard. They’re experienced.
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THE ICONIC
STATE THEATRE & WALSH BAY ART PRECINCT
