We invite you to attend the Evans and Partners annual Not-For-Profit Leaders Forum, an exclusive afternoon of ideas, strategy, and connection for leaders across the for-purpose sector. Join industry leading experts from Nexus Australia, Donor Republic, Impact100, White Box Enterprises and many more, as they deliver insights on the topics that matter most to not-for-profit organisations.

This year’s theme Think Differently, challenges us to consider unique and creative methods to access capital and fundraising, outside of traditional granting. As trusted Financial Advisers to over 140 not-for-profit organisations, at Evans and Partners, we understand that empowering mission-aligned organisations to effectively grow ultimately drives their purpose forward.  

Over the course of the afternoon, we will cover a broad range of topics including: 

• Engaging the next-gen: How the next-generation gives
• Collective giving: Appealing to the increasing number of giving circles
• Creative capital: Unique methods for program funding

We will also bring you a funder's perspective, examining how traditional funders are changing their approach to giving. Closing out the afternoon will be our keynote speaker, Andrew Sabatino, from Donor Republic. Andrew will share his insights from working on some of Australia’s largest fundraising campaigns. 

Register now to join us for an inspiring afternoon designed to empower your mission. Following the forum, we invite you to continue the conversation over canapés and drinks.

Date: Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Time: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM AEST

1:45pm - 2:00pm - Arrival afternoon tea

2:00pm - 4:30pm - Conference

4:30pm - 6:00pm - Networking drinks & canapes

Location: Evans and Partners
Level 9, 171 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC 3000

Lucy Steggles is passionate about philanthropy and social entrepreneurship, and using her time and skills to help bring about positive social change. She has over twenty years’ experience in strategic planning and growth, business development, marketing, corporate social responsibility and philanthropy, and holds a Bachelor of Business with majors in Management and Marketing. 

Lucy worked in the professional services sector for 13 years both within Australia and abroad, before transitioning to the not-for-profit sector working where she has worked for the last 6 years in the executive leadership team at youth mental health charity, batyr and as the Executive Officer of next gen philanthropic networking, NEXUS Australia. Lucy has been a delegate and speaker at several NEXUS Global Summits at the United Nations in NYC, including representing Australia on the NEXUS Global Mental Health Council (2020-2022). In 2019 she was selected as a an official delegate to the UNFPA brains trust on Youth Creating a Resilient World. 

Lucy has been a member of Philanthropy Australia’s Next Gen Program since 2014; and is a Board member of the Environmental Music Prize, and Cana Communities/ Cana Farm.

Amanda Smorgon is recognised as a senior community leader with strong networking, fundraising and public speaking skills. As a media lawyer at Minter Ellison, she advised private and public sector organisations on matters of defamation, privacy and risk management - and regularly appeared in all Victorian courts on behalf of The Age and Fairfax Media. 

She co-founded Young Carlton Professionals in 2012, a networking group for next generation business leaders to engage with the Carlton Football Club. 

She was appointed to the Executive and Cabinet of the United Israel Appeal (UIA) in 2018, and is Co-Chair of the Victorian Women's Division. UIA operates fundraising campaigns in 40+ countries and is the preeminent Australian charity donating and investing in Israel. 

Amanda was appointed to the NEXUS Australia and Philanthropy Australia New-Gen Committee in 2024 and is a Melbourne Ambassador. NEXUS is a movement active in 70 countries to catalyse leadership and improve social change through philanthropy. Amanda is passionate about growing the culture of philanthropy in Australia and elevating the importance of private giving. 

Over the past 7 years as a member of Equity Trustees’ Charitable Trusts & Philanthropy Team, Denise has been supporting individuals, families and corporations embarking on their philanthropic journey.  Equity Trustees works with sector partners to amplify a culture of philanthropy across the country.  She specialises in introducing philanthropists and professional advisors to structured vehicles, a powerful platform to deliver thoughtful and purpose-led giving, as well as facilitating stronger partnerships between the for-purpose sector and funders.

Denise’s career spans philanthropy, business development and fundraising, account management, marketing and stakeholder engagement, across a range of industries including professional services, membership associations, telecommunications and for-purpose organisations.  Immediately prior to joining Equity Trustees, Denise was a fundraiser with The Reach Foundation, and YWCA NSW.  Denise is a graduate of the Australian Institute Company Director's Company Directors Course, and has had non-executive board roles with Dress for Success Sydney and PROJECT ROCKIT Foundation.  
 
In late 2024, Denise along with Lisa Allan of the Smith Family became Co Chairs of the Pay-What-It-Takes (PWIT) Initiative, a sector-movement to amplify the critical need to cover all costs and overheads to allow the sector to deliver impactful solutions to society’s challenging social issues.
 

Pat has been part of Philanthropy Australia since 2011, the peak body for philanthropy and giving, holding the key role of State Manager for Victoria and Tasmania, and more recently as their Senior Advisor, Engagement and Philanthropy. She holds a Master in Social Investment and Philanthropy from Swinburne (2013), had an early career in corporate HR in the US finance sector, and has held leadership positions with not-for-profit boards with experience in policy and program development, grants, fundraising and board governance both in the USA (prior to her 1998 arrival in Australia) and here in Australia. A giving circle advocate, Pat is the current Board Chair and Co-Founder of the Melbourne Women’s Foundation – a giving circle established in 2014 to support women and families in need in greater metropolitan Melbourne.

Pat is a Director of the National Trust of Victoria Foundation, and a recently appointed  Director of the Invergowrie Foundation, committed to assisting in the development of the workforce of the future through support of girls and women pursuing careers in STEM. Former Australian directorships include: Variety the Children’s Charity, Victoria; a director of the Victoria University Foundation, and director and Chair of the Foundation of Firbank Girls Grammar School in Brighton, Victoria She was awarded an OAM on Australia Day 2020 for service to the community through charitable organisations.

Philip graduated from Monash University with a BA (1983) LLB (1985).
Following a number of years in legal practice, Philip ventured into real estate, commencing in commercial with Jones Lang Wootton before moving into residential. Here he found his real passions and established his own business Find & Seek to find and secure properties for private clients and also develop residential properties.
With his wife Judy and two sons moving to Hong Kong in 2001, he set up a
property business in Hong Kong to assist Australians located throughout Asia to invest in Australian property and also engaged in property development in Hong Kong. 
Philip retired in late 2019 and returned to Australia, fortunately before COVID hit.

In addition to his passion for property, architecture and art, Philip loves to spend time with his family and his dogs as well as walking, swimming, sailing and backgammon.
Philip loves to help others in need and over the years Philip has been involved in the Hong Kong Australian Association as Vice President, as well as a office bearer of various committees at the Hong Kong International School and a number of Owners Corporation Committees in Victoria.

Since retiring he has explored philanthropic opportunities including supporting Left Write Hook, The Funding Network and other not-for- profits.

Mark is a leading figure in the social enterprise sector in Australia for a period spanning 20 years.

Mark was a co-founder of Social Traders and an Executive Director for 13 years. There he led the development of their social enterprise marketplace which has become a must-access service for corporate and government clients seeking to build social enterprises into their supply chains. He has worked with hundreds of business and government clients seeking to build social impact into their supply chains.

Mark is a soccer player and fan, parent of two young adults, a keen reader and occasional bushwalker.

David Lloyd’s career has focussed on cultural and strategic leadership in complex environments in healthcare, medical research, and higher education, with over 25 years as a COO / CEO in major Australian not-for-profit and academic institutions in these sectors.

Prior to becoming Chief Executive of the National Heart Foundation of Australia in June 2022, David had interim leadership roles as founding CEO of SAiGENCI Cancer research institute at the University of Adelaide, and of the Australian women’s health charity Jean Hailes. He was Deputy Director of the Baker Heart Research Institute from 2005-2017, CEO of the University of Melbourne companies Melbourne Enterprises International, and Melbourne University Private from 1998-2005, and Director of the University of Tasmania’s international and commercial activities from 1993-1998. He began his career in the New Zealand public service with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and then the NZ Trade Development Board.

He serves concurrently as Vice President (Elect) and Board Member of the World Heart Federation in Geneva; as Chair of the East Timor Hearts Fund, an Australian charity focussed on providing Timor Leste with support in responding to that country’s very high rates of rheumatic heart disease; and as a board member of Momentum Triathlon Academy, an Australian not for profit that works to make triathlon and endurance sport accessible to youth and young adults. He was founding Chairman of Artolution Inc, a New York based charity supporting refugee communities around the world to deal with trauma through collaborative public art projects.

Monique is Executive Director of the Transition Accelerator and a Senior Adviser to E&P Financial Group. 

With 15 years of experience in investment, strategy, and law, Monique has held executive positions and advised financial services and technology businesses across the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. 

Monique also serves on the board of RMIT Activator, and holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne, and an MBA from the University of Cambridge.

For more than 20 years, Patricia Edwards has been a trusted advisor to corporate and private family office clients interested in how to develop more strategic giving, with a focus on changing some of the entrenched social and environmental issues and building greater engagement with key stakeholders. She has worked with some of Australia’s biggest organisations in aviation, resources, telecommunications, logistics, energy and transport. She has held senior executive roles at ANZ Banking Group and, under her leadership, helped reshape and repurpose the community investment portfolio, including major-scale partnership programs that have been recognised as international best practice. Her private office clients represent both established and newer family offices and their philanthropic endeavours who share a commitment to both give and learn on how to best direct their donations to make a meaningful difference.  Patricia is known for building high-trust working relationships, and a strong commitment to shaping purpose-led strategy, engaging key stakeholders and delivering measurable impact.

Andrew is Co-Founder of Donor Republic, specialising in strategic fundraising plans, appeals, regular giving, digital, middle & major donor, corporate partnerships, and Gifts in Wills.

He is a past state and national winner of the Fundraising Institute of Australia’s Fundraiser of the year award, as well as being nominated as a pro-bono Change Maker, and Fundraising and Philanthropy Change Maker.

Prior to Donor Republic, Andrew led Guide Dogs SA/NT to experience significant fundraising growth from $1m to $9m over seven years. He also chaired the Guide Dogs Australia Fundraising Committee, overseeing an increase in revenue from $57 to $89m in four years.