Image of The Freedom Hub (TFH; a social enterprise): A cozy cafe with a rustic wooden counter displaying pastries and snacks. A barista prepares orders behind a glass beverage case. Industrial-style lights hang overhead. Two white tables with menus and condiments are in the foreground. The "FREEDOM HUB" logo and menu board are on the wall.

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

Independent

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

Dr Sharon Zivkovic

Founder & CEO

Community Capacity Builders

I hope that social enterprise is widely recognised as a business approach that produces social and environmental value, and that the social enterprise sector increases its capacity to innovate and address the world’s most pressing problems.

Matt Pfahlert

Co-founder and CEO

ACRE

That SEA provides the connective tissue that honours those players with lived and learned experience who demonstrate commitment to building the social enterprise ecosystem and movement in this country.

Libby Ward-Christie

Personal Capacity

Independent

To become recognised as a legitimate business model that preferences people and planet over personal wealth generation.

Antony McMullen, FGIA

Secretary and Director

Co-operative Bonds

A principled and inclusive social economy

Chris Andrew

Enterprise Advisor

Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative

Providing a supportive platform for First Nations nation rebuilding.

Ben Pecotich

Design & Innovation Director/Founder

Dynamic4

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

Independent

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

Independent

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

Frances Atkins

CEO

Givvable

To finally see the social enterprise sector scale in Australia, and globally!

Brianna Kerr

Personal Capacity

Independent

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

Independent

Provide a cohesive voice and resource for the social enterprise sector, locally and internationally

Lara Stephenson

Impact Director

Social Good Outpost

To my mind, contributing to economic, social and environmental health through business is a clear path forward. I envision social enterprise to be widespread, authentic, capable and highly skilled in creating change as a whole.

Paul Bird

Personal Capacity

Independent

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

Independent

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

Independent

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.

Lucy Brotherton

Community Capacity Building Lead

City of Parramatta Council

That social enterprise becomes the dominant business model in the not-too-distant future.

Jessica Mendoza-Roth

Founder & CEO

Social Impact Hub

I hope social enterprise in Australia becomes much better known and in fact part of mainstream business. Social enterprise should be valued by government as a wonderful employer of disadvantaged Australians and acknowledged by broader society.

Stuart Horrex

Cofounder + CEO

ArtSHINE

Working at the intersection of small business, social enterprise, and creative practice, it's my hope we empower enterprises that sustain financially, socially, and environmentally while fostering a thriving community of creative & social innovators

Adele Stowe-Lindner

Executive Director

Institute of Community Directors Australia

I hope that social enterprise in Australia becomes an increasingly popular framework for businesses and organisations seeking to prioritise people and planet, using creative market-oriented means to sustainably thrive.

Kirra Johnson

Executive Lead People and Impact

Good Cycles

I hope for Social Enterprise in Australia to mature so that it can serve as a blueprint for a viable alternative to traditional business practices.

Biljana Nikolova, PhD

Personal Capacity

Independent

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. 

Team portrait photos - contact us

We’d love to hear from you!

Reach out to one of our team members, and share input and ideas about how we can evolve Understorey.

Get in touch