About the curators
Social Enterprise Australia is the steward and coordinator of Understorey. Understorey is funded by the Australian Government, Department of Social Services. Two advisory groups support the design and development of Understorey.
Who is behind Understorey?
Understorey is by the sector, for the sector. It's created by all who choose to take part. It invites and adapts to input and ideas.
Social Enterprise Australia is the steward and coordinator of Understorey.
Understorey is funded by the Australian Government, Department of Social Services.
Social Enterprise Australia
Social Enterprise Australia - that national peak body for social enterprise - is the steward and coordinator of Understorey. It acts in this role as the education and mentoring delivery partner on the Australian Government’s Social Enterprise Development Initiative.
Meet the Social Enterprise Australia team.
Australian Government
Understorey forms part of and is funded under the Social Enterprise Development Initiative (SEDI), an initiative of the Australian Government, Department of Social Services.
Learning Design Group
The Learning Design Group is a small team of educational experts. They bring deep knowledge in adult education and diverse perspectives. This group is co-designing Understory’s educational framework, ensuring that resources, perspectives, and the overall approach effectively support learning for the whole sector. They also identify knowledge gaps and advise on the commissioning of new resources.
The work of the Learning Design Group is time limited, to co-produce solid foundations for Understorey.
Read more about the Terms of Reference for both Advisory Groups.
Usman Iftikhar
Personal Capacity
I want to see an inclusive and thriving social enterprise ecosystem in Australia which welcomes social entrepreneurs from all backgrounds and supports them to connect, learn and grow
Libby Ward-Christie
Personal Capacity
To become recognised as a legitimate business model that preferences people and planet over personal wealth generation.
Ben Pecotich
Design & Innovation Director/Founder
Social enterprise is a key part of my/Dynamic4's core purpose: to accelerate the transition to more regenerative ways of living and doing business... to help create the conditions for people and communities to be happier. To really be mainstream.
Liz Branigan, PhD, PFHEA
Personal Capacity
I hope (and believe) social enterprise is recognized, appreciated and taken up as a core way of working, bridging equity gaps and leading sustainable social impact in Australian society.
Advisory Circle
The Advisory Circle is a wider group of social enterprise experts with varied backgrounds and experiences. This group provides dynamic insights into the Sector's needs and challenges. They review information and educational content, help identify knowledge gaps, and suggest new resources.
The work of the Advisory Circle is time limited, to rapidly identify content to host, point to and commission.
Read more about the Terms of Reference for both Advisory Groups.
Tiarne Shutt
Personal Capacity
My hope for social enterprise in Australia is that it inclusively incorporates First Nations businesses. By providing equitable access to resources and fostering genuine partnerships, we can drive innovation, and economic self-determination
Brianna Kerr
Personal Capacity
That social enterprise principles become the norm, not the exception; that all businesses are working towards meeting people’s needs within planetary boundaries.
Gavin Heaton
Personal Capacity
Provide a cohesive voice and resource for the social enterprise sector, locally and internationally
Paul Bird
Personal Capacity
Social enterprise in Australia is increasingly 'mainstreamed' and engages Australians in not only buying goods and services, but engaging them to take action.
Francesca Pinzone
Personal Capacity
A thriving and collaborative network of SE's across Australia can create significant impact for our most challenging social issues. Recognition and support is needed for the sector to allow for innovative SE's to scale and grow to meet this need
Gabrielle King
Personal Capacity
Social enterprise can be a key tool in supporting people disadvantaged as a result of economic and social change. My hope is that we see a growing number of entrepreneurs adopting the model in an ecosystem that is collaborative and supportive.
Biljana Nikolova, PhD
Personal Capacity
Social enterprises embody business at its best, combining profit and purpose. I hope to see social enterprises continue to grow so they can help us create a more inclusive, sustainable and compassionate Australia.
Whole of sector
Understorey is by the sector, for the sector. It's created by all who choose to take part. It invites and adapts to input and ideas. All are invited to play a role in guiding Understory’s development and ensuring it remains relevant, accessible, and impactful for the Australian social enterprise sector.
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