Professional Bio

Abhi is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over six years of work experience within Finance and Accounting. He looks after the finance function for The Ethics Centre, both at operational and strategic level. Prior to joining us at The Ethics Centre, Abhi worked with major international logistics and travel companies. He holds an undergraduate degree in Professional Accounting from Macquarie University, plus he’s an avid cricket fan!

What inspires you about the work that you do?

It’s great to be a part of an organisation that allows a platform for all ideas, and promotes good ethics both at organisational and individual level.

Professional bio

Alex is the Head of Programming for The Ethics Centre. The key programs within the Programming portfolio include the Festival of Dangerous Ideas, IQ2, and The Ethics of series. She has over 9 years of specialist experience with performing arts and public programs. Previously Alex was the Executive Producer for The Works Entertainment, developing productions in Australia, Europe and the Middle East. Prior to that she spent 7 years with Sydney Opera House and has also consulted with companies including State Opera Australia. Alex holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and Film Studies for the University of West of England.

What inspires you about the work that you do?

I am continually inspired by the transformative power of art and ideas. Conversations, art and performance are all tools to convey the human experience and guide cultural thinking and doing. Our sphere for influence widens day by day- it’s exhilarating and daunting and certainly worth exploring.

Professional Bio

Briana is a versatile and passionate professional with over 15 years experience in the not-for-profit sector. She specialises in research, logistics and strategy and enjoys forming positive and productive relationships. Prior to joining us at The Ethics Centre, she worked with purpose-led organisations such as Living Future Institute of Australia and Green Building Council of Australia. She has degrees in Ecology and Environmental Science and Sustainable Development.

What inspires you about the work that you do?

Every day we make choices that change the world in some small way. From purchasing our morning coffee to what we read and how we interact with customer service staff and fellow commuters. In a time where global problems are so large they’re almost unfathomable, its empowering to take the time to make thoughtful and informed decisions that reflect the kind of world we want to live in.

Professional Bio

Cris heads The Ethics Alliance, a community of organisations across sectors that works to collaboratively shape the future of business ethics. She is also a director of The Banking & Finance Oath, a pledge of integrity and commitment that aims to increase consideration of stakeholders and decision-making accountability by financial service professionals. It is a program she helped execute, and still oversees. She holds a degree in psychology, and in another life, founded a Manhattan theatre company, casting agency, and production studio.

What inspires you about the work that you do?

I am inspired by the humanity that lies under the belly of business and the genuine desire to strengthen society. I am forever inspired by the people I work with who are so wholly committed to what they do. I am inspired by the impact of the work we do. Whether it is one person or a room of people, you can see and hear the impact – there is a hunger to learn and contribute to a better society.

Professional Bio

Matt is a moral philosopher with a background in applied and military ethics. He has taught philosophy and ethics at university for several years, and has been extensively published in academic journals, book chapters and is a sought after speaker at both national and international conferences. In 2016, Matt won the Australasian Association of Philosophy prize for media engagement, recognising his “prolific contribution to public philosophy”. He is columnist with New Philosopher magazine and ABC Life, and a podcaster on the ABC’s Short & Curly program, an award-winning children’s ethics podcast..

What inspires you about the work that you do?

I’m inspired when I see our work inspire others. Whether I’m in the classroom, writing, working with colleagues or speaking to a room full of people, what drives me is the ‘aha’ moment. When people suddenly understand the world in a new light. They’re inspired to do things differently, ask different questions and seek better answers. In a moment, someone can suddenly realise what it means to live well. That’s the spark for me.

Professional Bio

Simon Longstaff began his working life on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory of Australia. He is proud of his kinship ties to the Anindilyakwa people. After a period studying law in Sydney and teaching in Tasmania, he pursued postgraduate studies as a Member of Magdalene College, Cambridge. In 1991, Simon commenced his work as the first Executive Director of The Ethics Centre. In 2013, he was made an officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for “distinguished service to the community through the promotion of ethical standards in governance and business, to improving corporate responsibility, and to philosophy.” Simon is an Honorary Professor at the Australian National University, a Fellow of CPA Australia, the Royal Society of NSW and the Australian Risk Policy Institute. He serves on a number of Boards and Committees and as Independent Integrity Adviser to the Australian Taxation Office.

What inspires you about the work that you do?

People. I am inspired by their openness and generosity in sharing their thoughts and feelings with me. I am inspired by our common frailty in the midst of uncertainty – and the fact that this need not be overwhelming. I am inspired by the opportunity to continue learning about our brilliant, troubling, contradictory, maddeningly beautiful form of being – simultaneously the most creative and destructive creature on earth; a source of wonder and dread. If I can help people to fall ‘just the right side’ of each question, then I play a small role in making a better future.

Professional Bio

Ed joined The Ethics Centre as Executive General Manager in 2014 after a career in the interconnected worlds of marketing, communications, entertainment and live events. His diverse roles include editor of Rolling Stone Magazine, TV producer, talent consultant to The Voice and X Factor, Twitter executive, CEO of Warner Music, Managing Director of BMG Music, Chairman of ARIA and CEO of Renovating For Profit. Throughout his career, Ed has experienced a range of ethical dilemmas and is cherishing his role where enabling good decision making is his core work, helping original thinking and lively public debate flourish.

What inspires you about the work that you do?

We create light-bulb moments for people. Through our events, our content and our work, we reveal things they hadn’t seen before, and we help to guide them through the challenges they’re dealing with. There’s something very satisfying about being part of that moment of realisation and understanding.

Professional Bio

During his time at the The Ethics Centre John has directed our major consulting projects, leadership, people and culture programs and product development. Drawing on 20 years as a consultant, lecturer and researcher in ethics, leadership, cultural studies, innovation and social entrepreneurship, John has worked with Australia’s largest organisations in developing and delivering solutions to bring ethics to the centre of business design, culture development and organisational decision making. As Director of Innovation, he leads the development of our tools, frameworks and programs.

Whats inspires you about the work you do?

Helping individuals and organisations make sense of complex problems, large and small. Bringing solutions that are practical, collaborative and which draw on the inherent wisdom of those who are most directly affected by the challenge.

Professional Bio

Joseph brings over 15 years of experience across content and education roles with the ASX to The Ethics Centre’s education team. In his role as Project Manager he is driving the development of new ethical literacy training programs specifically for the Financial Services industry.

What inspires you about the work that you do?

Education is one of the great ways to help shape the world we live in. In my role I have the unique privilege to create a positive impact on the lives of those who experience our programs, and also see that change ripple across the world around them.

Professional Bio

Mary Anne beings over 30 years of experience to her role at The Ethics Centre. She has held leadership roles with responsibility for finance, human resources, marketing and operations in top tier legal and management consulting firms, as well as in investment banking firms in Sydney, London and New York. She holds an undergraduate degree in Economics and an MBA.

What inspires you about the work that you do?

The Ethics Centre is unique. It’s inspiring to work with such a committed team of people. I’m excited to be able to utilise my commercial experience to ensure that The Ethics Centre is in a sound financial position and operates efficiently.

Professional bio

Michelle is a seasoned commercial Senior Executive with expertise in Leadership, Culture, Talent and Organisational Transformation. Drawing on 30 years as a consultant, clinician, and organisational development specialist, Michelle has worked with Australia’s largest organisations in developing and delivering solutions to assess and build value-driven leaders and cultures. 

Her work has supported organisations to evolve their approach to risk management – from compliance and regulation mechanisms to explicitly assessing and developing the intangible aspects of ethics, psychology and political systems to decrease an organisation’s systemic risk. This enables organisations to minimise their intangible risks, creating competitive advantage and ensuring reputation, brand and market value. 

What inspires you about the work that you do?

The most serious ethical problems we are facing are not in any particular institution, but rather the relationship between them. Information that does not take into account the full scope of inter-relationality in a system is likely to inspire misguided decision making which compounds ethically challenging and wicked problems. If change is to be made, it will be as a consequence of a shift not only in the problematised part, but in the combined conditions in which the system exists – be it a person, organisation, or society. That is the work of The Ethics Centre and why I love what I do. 

Professional Bio

Sarah is a marketing and communications specialist with over 20 years of experience. Since studying degrees in economics and commerce, she has worked with clients across the finance, technology, sustainability and non-profit sectors, both in Australia and the UK. She’s passionate about visual communication, and bringing difficult concepts and new ways of thinking to new and diverse audiences.

What inspires you about the work that you do?

I love that our work makes ethics really practical, relatable… even, dare I say it, fun! Ethics offers an incredible invitation to better know yourself, discover where you stand, take a deeper look at what’s happening in the world, and actively shape it. I love that I get to help so many more people explore the infinite, mind-bending world of ethics, and introduce them to new ways of thinking about themselves and the world around them.

Professional Bio

Talya is an experienced educator who has worked extensively in both the formal and experiential education space. At The Ethics Centre, Talya helps to create innovative, engaging and quality ethics-focused education. She is passionate about developing learning that challenges assumptions and leaves a lasting impact. Talya regularly gives talks and runs interactive workshops on the topics of leadership development and positive culture.

What inspires you about the work that you do?

Ethics education allows people an opportunity to delve into parts of their lives and selves that they may have never previously contemplated. It’s a never-ending process of learning, questioning and growth.

Professional bio

Head of Client Relationships at The Ethics Centre, Tom is a client partnerships and brand marketing specialist with global experience in both the commercial and non-profit sectors. He spent 15 years as a suit at marketing and creative agencies in London, New York and Sydney. More recently Tom was general manager of The Funding Network, a philanthropic accelerator for start-up Australian non-profits and social enterprises. He is a Philosophy graduate of Bristol University and a recent scholarship recipient of the Centre for Social Impact at UNSW.

What inspires you about the work that you do?

There is nothing more urgent at this point in human development than to discuss what is, or is not, acceptable to do in pursuit of our goals. “What ought we to do, to live a good life”? is an ancient ethical question and for centuries we have derived most of our answers from religious codes, culture or law. But with so much diversity of opinion and global complexity in modern life, we need to query this topic everyday with fresh energy and empathy. Whether in government, business or personal life, The Ethics Centre strives to bring meaningful consideration of how we can be better humans into practice. It is a privilege to play a small part in that effort.

Professional Bio

Wendy joined the Ethics Centre in early 2018 and has an extensive career working as an Executive Assistant in a variety of organisations and sectors including PWC, Bus 2000, AAP and Aussie Home Loans.  “I really enjoy what I do, and get great satisfaction from helping others to achieve success”. Coming from a broad range of industries I have had the opportunity to see the inner workings of business and being in this role allows me to reflect on what Ethics at work really means and given me a renewed lens on the business world.

What inspires you about the work that you do?

I’m passionate about working with a team who has a combined purpose of making a meaningful difference in the world.