We will create 5000 jobs for young disadvantaged Aust ralians by 2030.
- We build market led large-scale employment-focused social enterprises, that can employ more than 50 disadvantaged people.
- We support innovative ideas and social enterprises with the resources they need to create more jobs for disadvantaged Australians.
If you are a social enterprise wanting help,
out of 100 jobs by 2020.
out of 5000 jobs by 2030.
Across
social enterprises
Our projects
The White Box Eucalyptus tree is a valuable winter honey and pollen tree for local beekeepers. At White Box Enterprises, we will provide much-needed ‘pollen’ to social entrepreneurs working to create jobs for disadvantaged Australians.
Work With Us
If you want to get involved in creating 5000 jobs for young and vulnerable unemployed Australians by 2030, contact us here!
Launching in the last quarter of 2019!
Employment-focused social enterprises are welcome to take up space at a subsidised rate or for free to start getting their ideas off the ground. This is a great opportunity to be one of our anchor tenants and work with other social enterprises in an environment that will give you a jump start.
This is perfect for a social enterprise that needs offices or an industrial location, and fit outs are available for the right candidates.
We offer a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem to help create invaluable connections.
Find your space, talk to us about your needs and visit the center.
If you are a social enterprise but not focused on employment, please still get in touch as we may be able to help you.
Our team is passionate about the capability of social enterprise to solve the stubborn and hidden rate of youth unemployment, particularly in some of our most disadvantaged communities.
Lisa Siganto
Co-Founder and Chair
Lisa Siganto is one of Queensland’s most experienced professionals in the social impact sector, with a broad practical understanding of social enterprise, impact investing and social change infrastructure. She draws on 25 years in the corporate sphere, with management roles in Australia and New York at McKinsey, Deloitte and Marakon Associates. Lisa was the founding QLD Director of Social Ventures Australia and has led a number of strategic initiatives aimed at building the social sector across the state.
Lisa has a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School, and holds an honours degree in Engineering from the University of Queensland.
Luke Terry
Co-Founder and CEO
Luke Terry is known as one of Australia’s most awarded ‘serial social entrepreneurs’. Over the last 15 years, he has founded several large-scale employment-focused social enterprise projects that create meaningful work pathways for individuals who would otherwise be excluded from the labour market. In 2017, Luke created Vanguard Laundry Services, an AU$8 million commercial laundry with an in-built mental health career and training centre employing more than 140 people since commencement.
Luke has been recognised as a Westpac Social Change Fellow, the 2015 recipient of the SVA David Clarke Scholarship, a Queensland Citizen of the Year finalist, and winner of the 2015 & 2016 Australian Social Enterprise Awards.
George Curran
General Manager - White Box Enterprises
George grew up entrenched in small family business and is a strong believer in the enduring community wide effects of social impact investment. He has witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by society’s disadvantaged (particularly those with substance abuse and mental issues) and been closely aligned with programs such as Big Brothers and Meals on Wheels at various times throughout his life. Professionally, George has established and run his own businesses and has a wealth of experience and depth of knowledge in the implementation and delivery of research and business solutions into the agricultural, aerospace and public health sectors. George is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, is a Chartered Professional Engineer and has an MBA (New Venture Management).
Shannon Price
General Manager - Hotel Housekeeping
Shannon has extensive knowledge of labour hire, business management and operations with over 10 years experience in the field and a Business degree from QUT. He has worked with organisations that have assisted thousands of socially disadvantaged job seekers, with a large portion of these coming from Australia’s refugee communities and has seen first-hand the profound impact that securing of employment can have on the lives of refugee job seekers, as well as the considerable benefits that employers enjoy in terms of workforce retention and workplace culture. It is this win-win cross over for both businesses and refugee job seekers that Shannon is passionate about.
Ken Stoodley
Financial Manager
Ken went into finance straight after school and worked in different roles across insurance and finance for ten years before moving into finance for the not-for-profit sector. Ken found roles in not-for-profits through sporting clubs and his interest in all sports from a young age.
Alexander McDonald
Entrepreneur in residence
Alex was a key developer of The Big Issue in Australia as well as instigator of Mulgrave farmers markets and the gardens cafe in Brisbane. He also has assisted develop indigenous business across Australia and the South Pacific. We are excited to have him working with us to support our employment-focused social entrepreneurs.
Lisa Siganto
Chair
Lisa brings a wealth of business experience in board leadership and social impact. Ms Siganto has her own business supporting organisations and leaders to create social impact. Her experience is across both corporate and non-government organisations in a range of roles including chair, director, CEO, project manager and consultant. She has been a management consultant with McKinsey & Company, a partner at Deloitte and was the Qld director of Social Ventures Australia. Lisa has served on many corporate and not-for-profit Boards since the mid-1990s. She has been involved in assisting refugees and asylum seekers since 2007 and has an MBA from Harvard University and an engineering degree from The University of Queensland.
Melissa Cameron
Board member
Melissa Cameron is a key member of the Russell Reynold’s Financial Services Sector, based in Melbourne. She also worked at BlackRock in New York for over 8 years in multiple roles, her last role was Managing Director, Global Head of Credit Product Strategy. She has an extensive background in international finance and investments across a range of management roles, which provides clients with insights into leadership solutions and talent strategy. Melissa is a trusted advisor to both regional and multinational clients, and works closely with senior management teams on best practices, succession planning and the recruitment of top talent.
Simon Freeman
Board member
Simon Freeman became CEO of the Paul Ramsay Foundation in 2015, after five years as Group CFO and Company Secretary of the Paul Ramsay Group. A qualified chartered accountant, Simon moved to Australia from the UK in 2004 with Deloitte, and has since worked for a variety of financial institutions in banking, funds management and private equity.
Keith Rovers
Board Member
Keith Rovers was a partner in Minter Ellison’s Projects, Corporate and Finance practice groups, he possess valuable experience across a range of capital projects and corporate and finance transactions. He has acted for sponsors and funders in many industry sectors, including real estate, infrastructure and technology.
Keith’s commercial experience and interest in corporate sustainability help inform his current work with not-for-profit, emerging social enterprise and social procurement clients. He strives to create shared value, collaborating across the corporate, government, not-for-profit and education sectors to develop innovative approaches to social issues.
Get involved!
Email: [email protected]. or contact us via the form below.