Celebrating the Graduation of the Social Impact Fellowship Cohort 4: Empowering Changemakers to Drive Impact
Social Impact Hub is thrilled to announce the successful graduation of Cohort 4 of the Social Impact Fellowship! Over the past three months, this cohort of passionate and dedicated individuals embarked on a transformative journey, exploring the depths of impact and equipping themselves with the tools and knowledge needed to drive positive social and environmental change.
From immersive masterclasses and panel discussions to hands-on project work, their experiences have shaped their understanding of impact and increased their capacity to create meaningful change.
"The program really elevated my knowledge, passion, and determination to embed and grow my capacity to drive change in social impact. It surpassed my expectations. It has been an incredible learning opportunity and a network of an amazing and diverse group of social changemakers."
Belinda Montgomery, Partnership Development Manager, Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia
Insights from Inspiring Thought Leaders
Throughout the Fellowship, Cohort 4 engaged in a diverse range of content designed to deepen their understanding of impact. Highlights from the weekly sessions include:
"What does impact REALLY mean?" panel with Ben Pecotich, George Matthews, and Paul Ronalds. Fellows explored the true meaning of impact, engaging in thought-provoking discussions with industry experts. These conversations challenged their perspectives and encouraged them to approach impact from various angles. Read the guest post by Fellow Anne-Lynn Nilius on this session.
Identifying your values and vision, and exploring how to fulfil your potential with May Samali. May led an inspiring session that empowered Fellows to reflect on their values and vision, providing them with the tools to unlock their full potential and pursue impactful endeavours.
Creating impact through lean innovation with Poppy Rouse. Poppy guided the Fellows through the principles of lean innovation, equipping them with the strategies to drive impactful change through efficient and iterative approaches.
Impact investing and its exponential growth with Jessica Mendoza-Roth. Our incredible CEO & Founder Jess shared insights on impact investing, highlighting its exponential growth and its potential to catalyse positive change at scale.
Impact measurement best practices with Kathy Hoyt. Kathy provided valuable insights into impact measurement best practices, equipping the Fellows with the tools to assess and communicate the effectiveness of their initiatives.
High-performing teams in the impact sector with Melissa McPherson, People for Purpose. Melissa delved into the importance of building high-performing teams in the impact sector, emphasising the collaborative and synergistic approaches that drive success.
Fellow Dennis Tutbury, CEO of Pride Coffee, shared:
"I'm so grateful for the opportunity that the Social Impact Fellowship has afforded me. Such an incredible course that was very relevant to my situation, being at the beginning of my social impact journey. From the amazing staff at the hub to the various presenters and panellists, there is such a wealth of knowledge and experiences to learn from. I found everyone involved unbelievably helpful and supportive in setting me up for success. What surprised me the most about the course is the amazing connections I made with my fellow Fellows. I genuinely feel part of a wonderful community with success- and impact-driven people wanting to make a difference in this world."
Personalised Advice through Mentoring
Our Fellowship mentors are experienced professionals offering insights, sharing their wisdom, and providing a nurturing environment for growth. For Cohort 4, this team of trusted advisors mentor included Poppy Rouse, Andrew Tyndale, Kate Kennedy, Adam Long, Noel Clement, and Peter Boyd.
Mentorship is a catalyst for personal and professional development, enabling Fellows to navigate challenges, expand their perspectives, and refine their goals. The guidance provided by our mentors helped Fellows unlock their potential and gain clarity on their impact pathways. Through one-on-one sessions, our mentors nurtured a supportive and constructive space to explore ideas, seek advice, and receive valuable feedback.
Fellow Lauren McAlister, Manager of Strategic Projects Team from Cancer Council NSW remarked:
"I came into the program wanting clarity on my purpose and to understand how I can have the greatest impact in my career. The fellowship has certainly delivered on this through networking opportunities, mentoring, project work, and activities to assess my values and develop a personal brand. The generosity of fellows to make connections, open doors, and share knowledge was a highlight of the experience."
Applying New Skills to Real-World Challenges
One of the defining features of the Social Impact Fellowship is the opportunity to tackle real-world challenges faced by social enterprises. Cohort 4 had the privilege of working on projects with social enterprises, including Bridge Darebin, WooSoo, Fair Threads, and Addison Road Community Centre. Through practical application and collaboration, the Fellows brought their learnings to life, making a tangible impact on organisations striving to create positive change.
Manasi Kogekar, Senior Development Manager - Trusts and Foundations of Macquarie University shared:
"The Social Impact Fellowship was a fantastic learning experience. I was inspired by the visionary panellists and the career journeys of my other fellows within the social impact sector. I loved working on a special project and being able to put the skills and knowledge I've learnt through the Fellowship into practice to benefit a social enterprise."
If you are looking to explore your purpose and grow and scale your impact, sign up for the next cohort of the Social Impact Fellowship starting in July.