Lessons from Failure: Shaping Social Enterprises
- Date:12 Feb 2026
- Time:
- Duration: 75 minutes
- Location: online
Join a facilitated discussion with a range of leaders from social enterprises reflecting on failures within the social enterprises they’ve been involved in.
Join this interactive, honest discussion and exploration of productive failures and lessons learned to help build a stronger and more resilient social enterprise sector.
Kevin Robbie
Managing Director
Think Impact
Kevin is the Managing Director at Think Impact with over 25 years' experience in impact measurement, social innovation, social valuation, social enterprise development and collaborative leadership. His breadth of experience spans business, government, philanthropy and the for-purpose sector. Prior to Think Impact, Kevin held a range of leadership roles including CEO of United Way Australia and Executive Director at SVA. where he was responsible for the leadership and development of their Social Enterprise Hubs, providing advice and support to over 100 social enterprises. Kevin is an advanced, accredited Social Return on Investment (SROI) practitioner. Originally from the UK, Kevin was Chief Executive of Forth Sector, one of Scotland’s leading social enterprise development organisations for nearly a decade and acted as special advisor to the UK Government Cabinet Office (2007/08) on the role of impact measurement in social investment and the role of social enterprise in job creation.
Sofiah Mackay
Senior Consultant
Think Impact
Sofiah has worked in Australia and internationally as a consultant, facilitator and program manager for over 25 years specialising in social change across diverse sectors including international development and social enterprise. She’s experienced in business model development and social enterprise incubation/growth having designed and facilitated numerous incubator and accelerator programs. This included coaching and supporting the growth and development of more than 150 social enterprises around Australia for the School for Social Entrepreneurs and leading a micro business start-up initiative for multicultural communities in Melbourne’s west for the Centre for Multicultural Youth. At Think Impact, she's worked in depth with social enterprises to build their impact foundations (theory of change, outcome frameworks, data collection approaches and impact reporting), map/design participant journeys, transform business models, develop strategic plans, and build team capability to implement for impact.
Ifrin Fittock
CEO
SisterWorks Inc
Ifrin is CEO of SisterWorks, a social enterprise empowering migrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking women through employment, entrepreneurship, and skills development. Since 2013, SisterWorks has supported over 3,000 women from more than 105 countries, helping them build confidence and economic independence. Under Ifrin’s leadership, SisterWorks has expanded its social procurement offerings and circular economy initiatives, collaborating with corporate and government partners on ethical manufacturing and CircularWork projects that create social and environmental impact. Through social procurement, SisterWorks continues to expand opportunities for the women it supports. Ifrin shares key insights on lessons from successes and failures from the sector.
Jaison Hoernel
General Manager
Civik People
A little over ten years ago, Jaison deliberately shifted his career to focus directly within the social sector, building on a foundation already rooted in creating positive social change. Since selling his successful small local business in 2008, he has consistently held roles enabling him to concentrate on value creation linked to positive social outcomes. As Head of Product Development for a leading urban bicycle manufacturer, Jaison supported product-driven social change across 38 countries, delivering over 500,000 bikes to customers each year. He then moved into bike share, both in Australia and internationally, leading the development of one of India’s first bike share programs. Prior to his current role as General Manager of Civik People, where he provides pathways for refugees into mainstream employment, he was CEO of Good Cycles, leading social change and employment initiatives. He has also supported sector development as a founding member of SENVIC. His lifelong passion is music and the arts.
Mick Cronin
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Employ4Good
Mick is a youth justice and social enterprise leader with 20 years’ experience creating real pathways for young people involved in the justice system. A passionate and vocal advocate for Youth Justice reform, he works to ensure young people are met with opportunity, dignity, and support rather than continuous barriers. He’s the co-founder and a director of the social enterprise employ4good and currently the Program Manager at the Centre for Multicultural Youth, where he leads the justice portfolio. Formerly Executive Director of the YMCA Bridge Project and its social enterprise ReBuild, Mick is known for turning bold ideas into practical, life-changing initiatives. In 2020, he was awarded a Westpac Social Change Fellowship for his impact on reducing recidivism, and he hosts the What’s Your Cause? podcast, spotlighting inspiring changemakers around the globe.
Pablo Alfredo Gimenez
Social Enterprise Advisor
Pablo has a strong commitment to social justice focusing his efforts with small community groups delivering big impacts. He has over 30 years experience in the social enterprise sector. Pablo has supported the development of dozens of social enterprises and has had to close a few down who were not delivering on their social purpose or able to be financially sustainable. He is keen to learn from and share his experiences with others about the good, bad and potentially ugly side of running a social enterprise. In 2001 Pablo was awarded a Commonwealth Centenary Medal in recognition of his work with some of the most disadvantaged members of our community.
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