On centring voices and shifting power for Women of Colour

When I was growing up, it was the classic tale of two migrant parents telling the second generation that they didn’t know how good they had it. I often heard my parent’s stories about how hard it was for them growing up in different parts of the world and my earliest memories of giving are tied to that. My family’s giving served two purposes - to give back to people who were less fortunate but also to shape our understanding of the enormous privilege we had in this country and our responsibility to share that with others. It was a way of centring the needs of other people, especially in other parts of the world.

I give because I know what it feels like to be on the margins. Women of Colour are often the first to give - whether that's their time, energy, knowledge or care - but we’re rarely recognised as philanthropists or as change makers. If you’re from a marginalised community, people often assume that you’re the beneficiary rather than the philanthropist or leader. My drive comes from wanting to shift that narrative, to ensure our giving is valued and visible. At its heart, my advocacy is about creating spaces where our voices aren't just included, but centred. It's time for the spotlight to catch up with reality. 

I’m a regular giver and I believe it’s important to be intentional about where you are giving your money – what communities you’re giving to and how are those communities benefiting from those dollars. I'm a big fan of co-creation and community-centred solutions. I always support organisations that are driving solutions that are co-created with the communities directly impacted by the problem because evidence shows these solutions are the most effective. That's why the representation piece in philanthropy is so important, because it's about making sure that we’re bringing a diverse range of voices to the centre stage. 

Intersectionality is a very poorly understood concept, particularly here in Australia. Intersectionality is not about identity or putting people in a box, it’s about structures of power. It’s understanding how different systems and structures of power interlock, interlace and reinforce each other to create distinct expressions for different humans. So, when we're talking about intersectional giving, it’s looking at how can we dismantle structural barriers through philanthropy so we can reach the people who need it most. When you make structural change, it becomes ongoing sustainable change as opposed to a one-off adjustment. It’s about sustaining impact beyond a single program or the dollars donated, to really shift society as a whole. I know it sounds like a hard thing to do, but one of the easiest ways to achieve anything sustainable is by investing in organisations that raise the voices of those who are co-creating the solutions with communities. 

My giving takes different forms, but two things are non-negotiable: financial commitment and accountability for outcomes. It’s easy for people to ‘give advice’ from the sidelines, but real change happens when we put resources behind our values and take responsibility for the results. Through my leadership with Women of Colour Australia, I’ve seen firsthand how much talk there is around supporting Women of Colour — and how often that talk stops short of action. That’s why I focus on giving both financially and through services where I’m accountable for the impact. I also dedicate pro-bono time to the Women of Colour Safety and Work Research Institute, because research and advocacy are powerful tools for building safer workplaces and stronger futures. For me, giving isn’t about having a nice idea - it’s about doing the work on the ground and standing by the outcomes, even when it’s hard. And if all else fails, I give snacks too… because let’s be honest, snacks solve at least half of the world’s problems.

Giving is not about how much you have, but how deeply you’re connected. When we give through community, it’s sustainable, it’s powerful, and it creates change that institutions alone can’t replicate. I’ve also learned that Women of Colour often give in multiple directions at once — family, community, workplace, activism. It’s both beautiful and heavy, so I’m constantly learning how to keep giving without burning out.

For me it's about continuing to give in ways that feel authentic and joyful and to make sure that the women who come after me don't have to fight as hard to be heard. My vision for the future is that when we talk about philanthropy in Australia, the faces and voices of Women of Colour are in the centre of the story, not at the edges. I want us to stop being framed as beneficiaries of generosity and be recognised as leaders, strategists and givers in our own right. Community-centred solutions will always be the most powerful, because they’re led by the people closest to the challenges and the opportunities.