Philanthropy, Systems and Change: perspectives, tools and stories - Sydney

Book your place at Philanthropy Australia’s first Thought Leadership event in 2020, to join keynote speaker Emily Tow, President of The Tow Foundation (USA).

Emily will share her experience as an active systems change philanthropist and her commitment to supporting advocacy as a key to achieving social change. Under Emily’s leadership, The Tow Foundation has promoted solutions to a more equitable, fair and safe criminal justice system in Connecticut, New York and across the United States.

Emily will be joined by an expert panel of local speakers at events in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.

Sydney's Panel

Emily Tow is president of The Tow Foundation, a private family foundation with $220 million in assets and approximately $20 million in annual giving. An innovator, changemaker and award-winning philanthropist, Emily leads with the Foundation with a highly collaborative approach. Emily oversees the strategic direction of the Foundation through cultivating its collaborative efforts, shaping major initiatives, and setting long-term objectives, and speaks nationally and internationally about the Foundation’s work, its commitment to advocacy as a key to achieving social change, and the value of family philanthropy.

Teya Dusseldorp is the Executive Director of Dusseldorp Forum, an independent, philanthropic foundation focused on improving the educational and life opportunities of children and young people throughout Australia. Dusseldorp Forum was established in 1989 by Teya’s grandfather, Dick Dusseldorp, the founder of Lendlease. The Forum partners with a select number of place-based initiatives that are improving wellbeing, increasing educational opportunities, strengthening culture and driving systems change so that resources are better aligned to community needs.

Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine GAICD  is the foudning CEO of Health Justice Australia, established in 2016 as the national centre of excellence for health justice partnership. 

She has worked in health, criminal justice and human rights organisations in Australia and internationally. She was previously Deputy CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service and was the inaugural Fulbright Professional Scholar in Nonprofit Leadership, the report of which was published as Lead or be left behind: Sustaining trust and confidence in Australia’s charities. Tessa’s PhD on the detention and release of mentally disordered offenders was published as a book, Protecting the Public? Detention and Release of Mentally Disordered Offenders by Routledge in 2010. She is on the Board of Gondwana Choirs, the leader in Australian choral performance; and plays ultimate Frisbee.

This event will surface insights through stories of change globally about how philanthropy is evolving to influence systems. In addition to sharing how working with the Justice System to reduce incarceration rates links to health systems. Carolyn Curtis, CEO, TACSI will discuss ‘Philanthropy, Systems and Change’ an innovative report comprised of a collection of unique stories and tools to support foundations in growing the mindsets, behaviours and practices that enable systems change.

Part of this event will be a hands-on workshop with Chris Vanstone, CIO, TACSI exploring some of the reflection tools in ‘Philanthropy, Systems and Change’ concluding with a panel discussion with Philanthropy and NFP leaders in each State.

This event is suited to;

• Philanthropists and Foundations that are active in systems change work
• Philanthropists and Foundations that are beginning to work this way or are interested to learn more
• Charities/non-profits that work in systems change: with either positive or negative experiences
• Charities/non-profits who would like to know how to engage funders effectively in supporting system change
• Systems change influencers and government active in systems

Thank you to our generous venue host, Perpetual Limited.

Philanthropy Australia's Cancellation Policy can be located here. 

Important attendee information:

At Philanthropy Australia, the safety and wellbeing of our team and community is our highest priority. With the global spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), we ask that our team, our members and our visitors take extra care. If you have left or transited through any of the DFAT listed countries of high risk in the last 14 days, you should isolate yourself for 14 days from the date of leaving that country. If you have been in close contact with a proven case of coronavirus, you should isolate yourself for 14 days from the date of last contact with the confirmed case. We ask that you please refrain from attending our Philanthropy Australia events or offices, or notify us immediately if this has only become apparent recently, after being at one of our events or offices. If any of Philanthropy Australia’s business activities are impacted, we will communicate these changes with as much notice as possible. For the latest information on the Australian Government’s response to COVID-19 please visit the Australian Government Department of Health website.