Social Impact
In The Regions

Kerry Grace is the conference founder and producer

Kerry Grace is known for her authentic approach and ability to get things done in communities.

A passionate regional Australian she learned from a very young age that many skills are required to enable the social change she is passionate about, the most important one being the ability to build trust.

Like many entrepreneurs Kerry is multi-skilled and while her skills may broadly be defined as community and economic development, writing and community advisory, through her decades in the workforce she has honed a unique mix of practical skills, connections, deep understanding and abilities which make her a sought after person for facilitation, MC and community advisory services.

Kerry works with clients at every level of government, not for profits, Aboriginal Corporations and Corporates.

At the heart of her work she thoroughly believes in healthy and sustainable regional communities. The methodologies surrounding the delivery of this goal vary.

www.kerrygrace.com.au

Jesse Taylor is dedicated to creating practical and inclusive solutions to societal challenges. With 25 years of experience leading place-based, co-design initiatives and reform campaigns across Australia, New York City, and the USA, Jesse excels in building high-performing collaborative teams and driving transformative change.

Jo has 25+ years of leading for-purpose organisations. Over her career, she has raised over $100m leading for-purpose organisations and has distributed more than $400m globally through philanthropic organisations. She knows how hard it is to fundraise, spend and donate money effectively if you want to create transformational change.

This experience has given Jo a deep understanding of the challenges of building resilient organisations focusing on impact and a burning passion for leaders to do their best work AND look after themselves. Jo has designed and led reflective leadership retreats and action learning programs for social change leaders, LGBTQI leaders, young leaders, social entrepreneurs, women, culturally and linguistically diverse leaders, directors and philanthropic leaders nationally and internationally.

Jo is the inaugural CEO of the Siddle Family Foundation, a non-executive director of the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) and Asthma Australia, the Chair of the Pay What it Takes coalition, a Leap Ambassador, an advisor to philanthropic organisations and a range of for-purpose organisations that are starting or deepening in their work. She lives in regional NSW with a partner, a tween and a teenager who keeps her engaged and a little bit exhausted.

A long-term resident of Northern Rivers/Bundjalung, Sam’s history encompasses corporate, not-for-profit, and governmental roles, with extensive experience working with First Nations peoples on economic development projects in remote and regional areas. After completing an MBA (Social Impact) at UNSW, he transitioned into leadership roles within the not-for-profit sector.

He currently leads the Northern Rivers Community Foundation (NRCF), an important source of funding and support for community organisations and networks across the region, particularly post-2022 floods. In this role, he is stewarding NRCF to work more systemically while continuing to support place-based grassroots groups to develop and deliver solutions appropriate for their community.

Sam lives near Ballina with his partner, raising a pack of joyful and unruly young kids, dogs, and chickens. He holds it all together with a wellbeing program of surfing, ill-advised home projects, and an occasional bush adventure.

Tracy Singleton is the Principal Consultant at Girrwaawa Barriwayay TAS Consulting. Tracy is a proud Gumbaynggirr woman committed to advancing Aboriginal self-determination and co-design practices to develop and implement culturally appropriate and respectful change in the health, economic, and social prosperity of Aboriginal people.

With over 30 years of experience working in health, housing, education, planning, and community development in government, non-government organisations, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. The latter 20 years have been spent in management and leadership roles. Tracy is also a member of the Board of Mid North Coast Local Health District,  Gaagal Wanggaan (South Beach) National Park, Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast, and Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation.

Tracy's qualifications include MAICD, a Graduate Diploma in Leadership with the NSW Higher Education Award for Outstanding Student, Alumni First People Leading, and a Diploma in Management and Leadership with Distinction.