Leading through constraint to deliver sustainable impact 

See you next year

15 - 17 September 2026, PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney

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Event overview

The Australian nonprofit sector faces mounting challenges in 2026. Escalating financial constraints from inflation and donor fatigue, workforce burnout amid volunteer declines, surging service demands from climate events and economic hardship, plus governance gaps and digital lags, are pressuring third sector teams to become more resilient.

A 2025 ACNC Report reveals unprecedented pressures making it more critical than ever for leaders to secure solutions. 60%+ of small/mid charities battle funding sustainability as expenses outpace income, while critical services are having to turn people away amid cost of living crises.

The Third Sector Leaders Forum 2026 is mission-critical for nonprofit CEOs and executive leaders facing 2026’s execution challenges. It delivers peer-validated frameworks tackling the sector’s top priorities and provides C-suite leaders the practical tools and partnerships needed to turn sector pressures into sustainable impact. This is the room where solutions happen.

Key benefits of attending:

Secure sustainable growth through funding innovation, leadership alignment and tech transformation 

Build resilient teams, governance and partnerships that scale impact 

Strengthen advocacy, accountability and financial stability for Australia's third sector 

Navigate workforce challenges, policy pressures and digital disruption with confidence

Harness AI, data and digital tools to prove impact and drive operations 

The experts guiding the conversation:

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Jean-Baptiste Naudet
Chief Financial Officer
Australian Red Cross

Tim Edmonds is Chief Executive of Blood Cancer NZ and Chair of CANGO, a coalition of leading New Zealand cancer charities working together to strengthen collective advocacy and improve outcomes for people affected by cancer

Tim Edmonds
Chief Executive Officer
Blood Cancer NZ

Tony Stuart is the CEO of UNICEF Australia since 2016. Tony is responsible for representing the UNICEF brand in Australia and fostering private sector partnerships with UNCIEF particularly in Asia Pacific and advancing child rights in Australia.  

Tony Stuart
Chief Executive Officer
UNICEF Australia

Cate Bennett is the Assistant Commissioner – General Counsel and Regulatory Services at the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)

Cate Bennett
Assistant Commissioner - General Counsel and Regulatory Services
ACNC
Justine Cain
Group Chief Executive Officer
Diabetes Australia

Cath is a seasoned and highly skilled fundraising and marketing professional with over 25 years of management and executive experience.

Catherine Hoban
Director of Fundraising
Australian Red Cross
Sabine Reiser
Head of Philanthropic Partnerships
Oxfam Australia
Kylie Pussell
Chief Executive Officer
Miracle Babies
James Bell
Chief Executive Officer
Weldon Children’s Services

Bianca Stern is the Head of Impact and a founding member of All Things Equal, a Melbourne-based social enterprise empowering people with disability through award-wage employment, purposeful training, and pathways

Bianca Stern
Head of Impact
All Things Equal

Felicity McMahon is the Head of Programs at Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Felicity McMahon
Head of Programs
Starlight Children's Foundation
Sandeep Mathur
Head of Data & Engineering
Greenpeace Australia

Sarah Parker leads strategic growth and operations at The Freedom Hub, an Australian social enterprise working to end modern slavery and support survivors through long-term, wrap-around care. 

Sarah Parker
Social Enterprise Manager
The Freedom Hub

Marella’s career of working with people started through leading teams in the public health and aged care sector.

Marella Verbeeten
Director People
Unison
Ragina Rogers
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Indigenous Governance Institute
Kellie Dunn
Chief Executive Officer
Women’s Health Loddon Mallee
Josie Worner
Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy
Brain Foundation
Christina Chun
Chief Operating Officer
Social Enterprise Australia
Kate Saporta
Chief Financial and Operating Officer
Family Life
Chris Jordan
Head of Fundraising
Farm Angels

Brad Kane is the Chief Operating Officer of Lifeline Central West and a senior executive with more than 20 years' experience leading organisational growth

Brad Kane
Chief Operating Officer
Lifeline Central West

Christine Duggan is a highly experienced community sector leader with more than 25 years’ experience across government and non-government services

Christine Duggan
Executive Director
Guthrie House
Brooke Jennings
Chief Executive Officer
Goldfields Women's Health Centre
Marta Vasquez
General Manager ‑ Young People Services
YMCA NSW

Aaron Crowther is a senior executive leader with more than 25 years’ experience across the corporate and not-for-profit sectors

Aaron Crowther
Chief Customer and Community Officer
RAAFA WA
Beth Barratt Browne
Leadership & AI Readiness Expert
Lachlan Mitchell
National Lead
Mary’s Meals Australia

Darren is a former Army Officer and UN Peacekeeper with over 20 years’ experience as a CEO of purpose led not-for-profit organisations.

Darren Black
Chief Executive Officer
Superfriend

Chris is a results-driven leader with 15+ years of experience helping organisations navigate complex challenges and setting up for long-term growth.

Christopher Galloway
Chief Executive Officer
Muru Mittigar
Jennifer Rutkowski
Fundraising & Marketing Manager
Sir David Martin Foundation

Emily Briffa is the Founder and CEO of Hamlet Inc., a social entrepreneur and social impact leader working at the intersection of inclusive employment, social enterprise, and community connection.

Emily Briffa
Chief Executive Officer
Hamlet

Faye Spiteri OAM is the Chief Executive Officer of Fronditha Care and a highly regarded strategic leader with experience across the not-for-profit, corporate and government sectors.

Faye Spiteri OAM
Chief Executive Officer
Fronditha Care

Michelle Hage is an experienced leader in community development, settlement services and public policy, currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of Arabic Welfare Inc

Michelle Hage
Chief Executive Officer
Arabic Welfare Incorporated

John Cullen brings over 15 years of executive leadership experience in the social and human services sectors, with a strong focus on governance, risk management, and professional excellence.

John Cullen
Homelessness Manager
The Salvation Army

Chris Coughlan leads Social Enterprise and Impact at VMCH, working across aged care, disability and community services to turn everyday operations into opportunities for inclusion and employment. 

Chris Coughlan
Manager Social Enterprise & Impact
VMCH

Cara is the Chief Executive Officer of NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS) and a strong advocate for equity, opportunity and dignity for all. 

Cara Varian
Chief Executive Officer
NSW Council of Social Services
Tony Warner
Chief Executive Officer
Variety – the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT
Mary Mullins
Head of Finance
Royal Far West

Alex Lee is the Chief Executive Officer at The Glen Group, NSWs largest Aboriginal community-controlled residential rehabilitation service based on Darkinjung Country on the Central Coast of NSW.

Alex Lee
Chief Executive Officer
The Glen Centre
Jess Moore
Chief Executive Officer
Social Enterprise Australia

Nic has 30 years of experience with organisational leadership from Defence, Public Service and non-profit.

Nic Meulengracht
Director of Strategic Projects, Risk and Compliance
The Benevolent Society
Angela Williamson
Strategic Coach & Chief People Officer
Chorus

Stephanie is Chairwoman of Business Excellence Australia, CEO of Blue Crane Consulting Group, and Adjunct Faculty at AGSM (UNSW).

Stephanie Naidoo
Chief Executive Officer
Blue Crane Consulting Group

Ravi is a business excellence, governance, quality management and process improvement professional with more than 20 years’ experience working with Australian and Global organisations.

Ravi Fernando
Chief Executive Officer
Thrive35
Penelope Corkill
Partner in Risk and Assurance
Centium
Clint Bertenshaw, MBA
Director-Sector Development and Capability Building
The Centre for Volunteering

Michelle Lim is a governance, AI and organisational culture specialist helping leaders navigate the intersection of technology, ethics and public trust.

Michelle Lim
Non-Executive Director
Ability Options and Just Governance
Bianca Tini Brunozzi
Deputy Chair
Just Governance

Kim Boyd GAICD is a senior commercial executive and growth leader with more than 15 years of experience driving business growth, strategic partnerships, and market expansion across the HR, payroll, workforce management, and technology sectors.

Kim Boyd
Head of Sales and Marketing - Pacific Region
Frontier Software

Ange Liston-McCaughley is the Founder and CEO of the Type 1 Foundation

Ange Mcaughley
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Type 1 Foundation
Irmke Bonte
Director
Social Ventures Australia

Share a stage with 50+ industry experts

We invite you to join us and share your expertise or suggest a presenter. Please get in touch with us for more information on the event and how to participate. We look forward to hearing from you!

Who should attend:

C-level executives and senior leaders responsible for:

Operations

HR/People & Culture

Finance

Communications

Fundraising

Strategy

Sectors:

Not for profits

NGOs

Charities

Government

Social Enterprises

Philanthropies

Event features

The event program meticulously outlines the schedule and flow of activities, designed to fully engage attendees. It details keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, networking sessions, entertainment, and other planned elements, ensuring a captivating experience from start to finish.

Streams

Customise your learning journey with 2 inclusive streams encompassing all aspects of the industry, you can design a personalised schedule that maximises your time and experience.

Panel Discussions

Learn from expert panellists who will share their perspectives on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities from the industry.

Case Studies
Gain valuable insights from industry experts through engaging case study sessions, designed to present solutions and learnings to key challenges in the industry.
Workshops
Deep dive into an interactive and intimate classroom style workshops with like-minded individuals and discuss key topics.
Exhibition


Showcase your brand to senior NFP professionals by exhibiting at our event.

Sponsoring
Elevate your brands visibility and choose from a wide range of sponsorship packages to expose your organisation to a diverse audience.
Networking Opportunities
Connect with other industry experts, thought leaders, and fellow senior attendees as you contribute to a shared learning experience.
Streams

Customise your learning journey with 2 inclusive streams encompassing all aspects of the industry, you can design a personalised schedule that maximises your time and experience.

Panel Discussions

Learn from expert panellists who will share their perspectives on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities from the industry.

Case Studies
Gain valuable insights from industry experts through engaging case study sessions, designed to present solutions and learnings to key challenges in the industry.
Workshops
Deep dive into an interactive and intimate classroom style workshops with like-minded individuals and discuss key topics.
Exhibition


Showcase your brand to senior NFP professionals by exhibiting at our event.

Sponsoring
Elevate your brands visibility and choose from a wide range of sponsorship packages to expose your organisation to a diverse audience.
Networking Opportunities
Connect with other industry experts, thought leaders, and fellow senior attendees as you contribute to a shared learning experience.

Supporting partners

Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Round Table Sponsor
Exhibitor
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Supporting Partner

Our Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Associate Sponsor

Plenary Chair sponsor

Round-table Sponsor

Exhibitor

What our Attendees say

As someone who is new to the NFP/charity sector, the Third Sector Live conference help me increase my knowledge on what is happening in the sector in Australia. It was so wonderful to hear speakers share information on what has worked for them and also some of the work and processes that they are embracing. This conference is a must for anyone new to the sector and for those that have been around for a while, there is valuable information that is shared

I really enjoyed listening to the range of speakers presenting on a diverse range of topics at the conference. The opportunity to network with other senior executives of other charities and share experiences was incredibly valuable

A very enjoyable event, I met many interesting people from our sector from long term established organisations through to start ups. A good opportunity to be in a room with people leading organisations who face the same challenges and opportunities and hearing how these challenges are overcome.

Post event gallery