A little while ago we asked some of our alumni members to answer a short questionnaire designed to let us know where they are now and to provide some insights about the Swinburne course. Here are some of the responses (current as at Dec 2008).

(Note: We hope to add some new profiles to this spot real soon......)

Dr. Christopher Baker

Current Position/Job Title:

Briefly outline your first foray into the field of philanthropy.

I spent nine years on the Board of The Salvation Army Employment Plus. This involvement in the provision of employment services led me to undertake the Swinburne Philanthropy and Social Investment program. That program led me to undertake research which has included an analysis of probate data in Victoria and a set of interviews with people involved in securing bequests &/or providing estate planning advice to individuals. The probate data provided a (depressing) insight into the low level of charitable bequests being made from Vic Estates, and the interviews confirmed, amongst other things, that those who make charitable bequests are very much the exception to the rule

Briefly outline the highlight of your course at Swinburne.

The course at Swinburne inspired me to undertake this research

Briefly outline one of the greatest philanthropic challenges you have faced.

My involvement with SPA has served to highlight that the greatest challenge is in determining how and where to give, so that it makes a real difference

Briefly outline how the Swinburne course has affected you in a personal, academic and/or career sense 

As I mentioned above, the course inspired me.  It led me to commit three years of my life to further research in this field.  That’s big.  It also led me to one of my favourite quotes, from Benjamin Mays who was a mentor of Martin Luther King: “The tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching your goal.  It lies in having no goal to reach.  It is not a calamity to die with dreams unfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream.”

Briefly outline a piece of advice for anyone looking to expand their philanthropic knowledge.

Expose yourself to a broad range of individuals and learn from their differing skills, experience and insights

John McLeod

Current Position/Job Title:

Executive Director, Goldman Sachs JBWere Philanthropic Services

Briefly outline your first foray into the field of philanthropy.

Setting up our families prescribed private fund, McLeod Family Foundation.

Briefly outline the highlight of your course at Swinburne.

Gaining a good broad overview of the sector then being able to drill into the interesting/relevant areas with much more detail AND interacting and meeting a great cross section of people in the field.

Briefly outline one of the greatest philanthropic challenges you have faced.

Firstly finding groups operating in our field of interest, then comparing/contrasting them PLUS educating financial advisers of the value of bringing up the topic of philanthropy in their work roles

Briefly outline how the Swinburne course has affected you in a personal, academic and/or career sense

The former gave some tools and rigour for the grant making role, in the latter being able to highlight many more examples of what peers are doing helps "legitimise" philanthropy.

Briefly outline a piece of advice for anyone looking to expand their philanthropic knowledge.

Being able to get into the loop, there are many willing to help and with great experience in the field, Swinburne was a great place to learn and connect

Amanda Milledge

Current Position/Job Title:

Consultant

Briefly outline your first foray into the field of philanthropy.

As Melbourne Pro bono co-ordinator at commercial law firm, Mallesons Stephen Jaques

Briefly outline the highlight of your course at Swinburne.

Hard to say - I undertook only one subject, Corporate Social Investment

Briefly outline one of the greatest philanthropic challenges you have faced.

Prioritising the worthiness of causes

Briefly outline how the Swinburne course has affected you in a personal, academic and/or career sense

It connected me with a range of practicing and other experts in the field

Briefly outline a piece of advice for anyone looking to expand their philanthropic knowledge.

Undertake a relevant subject/course and find at least one mentor.

Adrian Pyle

Current Position/Job Title

Director, Relationships Innovation, Uniting Church in Australia.

Briefly outline your first foray into the field of philanthropy.

Convincing a large corporate entity to enter a corporate philanthropic arrangement with a small local faith community – for a program aimed at rewarding anti-poverty workers in the community.

Briefly outline the highlight of your course at Swinburne.

Definitely the incredible network of people that the course has brought me into contact with, and continues to bring me into contact with – all concerned with how to inspire generosity in our community!

Briefly outline one of the greatest philanthropic challenges you have faced.

Encouraging philanthropic endeavours towards creative and often untested endeavours – the venture philanthropy space

Briefly outline how the Swinburne course has affected you in a personal, academic and/or career sense

The course provided theory and contacts that helped me understand how to encourage more creativity

Briefly outline a piece of advice for anyone looking to expand their philanthropic knowledge.

If you can commit the time and the finances, devote some time to the Swinburne philanthropy and social investment course – a great theoretical and contact basis on which to grow further in philanthropy.

Stacey Thomas

Current Position/Job Title:

National Coordinator, Telstra Foundation Community Development Fund

Briefly outline your first foray into the field of philanthropy.

Working on the ‘other side of the fence’ in Melbourne’s non-profit sector and facilitating philanthropic and corporate partnerships

Briefly outline the highlight of your course at Swinburne.

Definitely meeting the wide range of people involved in the course and being able to learn from their experience and vast knowledge

Briefly outline one of the greatest philanthropic challenges you have faced.

Working with such a large number of organisations who all have valid and worthy programs but only being able to assist a fraction of them

Briefly outline how the Swinburne course has affected you in a personal, academic and/or career sense

It has certainly cemented in my mind what I want to do and where I want to go in life, including the establishment of our own family foundation

Briefly outline a piece of advice for anyone looking to expand their philanthropic knowledge.

Talk to as many people as you can and don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Leigh David Wallace OAM

Current Position/Job Title:

Director, Grants & Philanthropy, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, Melbourne

Briefly outline your first foray into the field of philanthropy.

My role and position evolved from the role of principal fundraiser, thanks to my studies as Swinburne Uni

Briefly outline the highlight of your course at Swinburne.

The graduation ceremony and being the first person to complete the award

Briefly outline one of the greatest philanthropic challenges you have faced.

Determining the respective merits of so many worthy submissions seeking support

Briefly outline how the Swinburne course has affected you in a personal, academic and/or career sense

Having gained such increased knowledge and insight through the program I am now able to perform even more effectively in this role

Briefly outline a piece of advice for anyone looking to expand their philanthropic knowledge.

Enrol in the Swinburne program.  It was an enjoyable and personally satisfying experience that is continuing through my work and my involvement with the Swinburne Philanthropy Alumni.

Alexandra Williamson

Current Position/Job Title:

Senior Philanthropy Trust Administrator, Trust Company Ltd

Briefly outline your first foray into the field of philanthropy.

In 1996 I was employed as receptionist and personal assistant to the then Executive Secretary of The Ian Potter Foundation

Briefly outline the highlight of your course at Swinburne.

The discussions with fellow students and the depth and breadth of experience they bring

Briefly outline one of the greatest philanthropic challenges you have faced.

Dealing with the frustration of having inadequate resources, both financial and personnel, to fund every worthwhile project and to evaluate and disseminate those that prove successful

Please briefly outline how the Swinburne course has affected you in a personal, academic and/or career sense –

The Swinburne course has been a source of great enjoyment, inspiration and challenge over the last three years.  It has led to many opportunities for me, including directly to my current role

Briefly outline a piece of advice for anyone looking to expand their philanthropic knowledge.