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Gem Spotlights
Meet Sharon Hoffman, Gembridge's newest recruitment leader. From executive search to yoga teaching and mindfulness coaching, Sharon's unique career journey reflects her passion for helping people thrive and organisations create meaningful impact.
Meet Steffi, Director of Philanthropic Partnerships at World Vision Australia. She is a passionate fundraising leader whose work is driven by a deep belief in the power of opportunity to transform lives. With more than 16 years’ experience and millions raised for causes spanning gender equality, climate justice, international development and medical research, she has helped launch initiatives that will create lasting impact for generations to come.
In this Spotlight, Steffi talks about the projects that have defined her career, the realities that keep her motivated, and her thoughts on how fundraising must evolve to engage the next generation of changemakers.
Meet Bec, General Manager, Philanthropy at Anglicare WA and 2025 Fundraiser of the Year. A leader in our sector we admire for her energy, generosity and passion, Bec shares what the award means to her and the journey behind it. Lets dive into what Bec has to say…
Meet Nathan, passionate connector and purpose‑driven leader, Nathan builds meaningful partnerships that bring joy and support to seriously ill children and their families. This Thursday, he kicks off the Leadership & Emerging Issues track, sponsored by Gembridge with his inspiring session, “Harnessing the power of love in fundraising leadership.”
Meet Bec Passlow, a purpose‑driven leader and bequests specialist who brings empathy, emotional intelligence and a deep commitment to conservation. With a decade of experience guiding supporters through personal and meaningful giving decisions, Bec honours their stories and helps transform their passions into lasting impact.
In this Spotlight, she reflects on what motivates her, the conversations that shaped her career, and why genuine connection sits at the heart of powerful philanthropy.
Meet Jayne Wasmuth, a values‑driven fundraising leader who brings clarity, purpose and heart to every conversation. At Strategic Grants, she helps CEOs and fundraising teams tackle complex funding challenges with confidence.
Jayne shares what inspires her, the advice that’s shaped her career, and why trust remains fundraising’s greatest superpower. Gembridge partnered with Strategic Grants on her appointment, and love catching up with her at sector events.
Gembridge is proud to sponsor the Leadership & Emerging Issues track at the FIA Conference and feature Rachael as Co-Chair, bringing her expertise and passion for innovative fundraising leadership. Known for championing collaboration and creativity, Rachael is helping shape conversations that matter. A huge thank you to Rachael and all the volunteer committee who make this track and conference possible!
Read more about Rachael…
Gembridge is proud to sponsor the Leadership & Emerging Issues track at the FIA Conference and delighted Heather returned as Co-Chair, a passionate advocate for bold, values-driven leadership. Heather’s commitment to mentoring emerging fundraisers and shaping the future of philanthropy makes her an inspiring force in the sector and a valued part of the Gembridge network. A big thank you to Heather and all the volunteer committee who bring the conference to life!
Let’s hear from Heather…
Gembridge is proud to spotlight Paul as Chair of the Program Committee for 2026 FIA Conference, aptly named Impact Amplified. Paul recently stepped into his current role as Campaign Director at World Vision through Gembridge and brings exceptional energy and commitment to connecting generosity with purpose.
This year’s conference will feature 9 Specialist Tracks over 3 days, 7 pre-Conference Masterclasses, and 3 Keynote Sessions. A huge thank you to Paul and all the volunteer committee who make this possible!
Now let us hear from Paul…
Alisa is driven by a passion for health equity and meaningful impact. “I love being part of a team committed to improving health outcomes across our communities,” she says, reflecting her dedication to values-driven work and collaborative fundraising at Cancer Council NSW as a Trusts & Foundations Specialist.
As Head of Philanthropy at Vinnies Victoria, Chris is driven by impact and collaboration. “All good things happen collaboratively,” he says, reflecting on a career shaped by community, connection, and a deep respect for those delivering frontline services.
We were so excited to see that Francine Poisson was awarded the FIA fellowship.
With over two decades of experience in the not-for-profit sector, Francine is the Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships at the Black Dog Institute, a leading Australian medical research institute dedicated to mental health across the lifespan.
Here is what Francine has to say after we put her through the Gem Spotlight questions…
Sharon Hillman FFIA has received the prestigious Arthur Venn Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding contributions to fundraising. With over 30 years of experience, she has been a leader, innovator, and advocate for best practices.
A dedicated member of FIA, Sharon has served as Past President of FIA Victoria, a Board Member, and a volunteer on key committees, helping to shape the future of fundraising in Australia.
Let’s see what Sharon has to say when we caught up with her…
James recently had the honour of being named Fundraiser of the Year 2025 at FIA’s prestigious Awards of Excellence, an accolade that recognises his extraordinary impact and leadership in the fundraising sector.
Marietta began her Senior Philanthropy Manager role at Peter Mac in the middle of this year. She talks about her journey into the ‘for purpose’ sector, her love for connecting people to cause, achieving positive impact and her formative first job in face-to-face fundraising.
Humaira joined the Settlement Council of Australia as their Communications Lead just over six months ago. Here she shares her passion for storytelling, commitment to creating change and her lifelong desire to work in the development sector.
Bree was hired as Eastern Health’s Head of Donor Engagement around 18 months ago, and she is currently their Acting Director, Foundation. Bree has kindly shared a little of her journey from first job through to her current role, along with the strategy that keeps her team happy and advice for a satisfying work life.
Lisa recently joined Team Gembridge as a Senior Recruitment Consultant. Here we learn about her extensive travels, her love of shopping, what prompted her move into the NFP sector and how a manager’s comment gave her the confidence to shine.
Mary was hired as Philanthropy Australia’s National Engagement Manager for VIC/TAS in early 2023. Here we learn more about Mary’s passion for marketing and fundraising and her journey to this current role and how she contributes towards positive and meaningful change.
Olivia began her role as Head of Fundraising and Communications at Our Village (previously St Kilda Mums, Geelong Mums and Eureka Mums) just over a year ago. Now we have the chance to learn more about her...
Sally started as Monash University’s Senior Manager, Planned Giving in January 2023. Below, she shares a few things that bring her joy, from her family to swimming to the rewarding work she is a part of. Keep reading to learn more about Sally.
Dugald started his Head of Communications role at Beyond Zero Emissions nearly one year ago. Here he shares with Gembridge about his experience working in the UK and Australia and how his passion for protecting nature has informed his proudest achievements and led to where he is now.
From time in the Royal Navy, to marketing, to advertising agencies… to Account Director at Precision Fundraising… and now Group Marketing Manager for Precision Group. Discover Richard’s very interesting path not only to his role, but to Australia as well…
Meg Butler moved to her new role as Head of External Relations at Wildlife Victoria in August of 2022. Not only does she get to blend her interests in helping people, animals and the environment… she sometimes gets to work alongside baby wombats!
Diana Khanom started at Eastern Community Legal Centre at the end of 2022, and she loves working for an organisation that lives out their values. Here she talks about some of her other loves… sustainable living, learning about new cultures, and Friends!
Natalie Jones was placed at The Perfect Events Group by Gembridge almost exactly three years ago in the Corporate Partnerships Manager role. Today she is the Partnerships and New Business Manager, and loving every minute. Read on to learn more about Natalie and her love of animals, reality TV and making a positive difference in the world.
Liza became CEO of Melbourne Women’s Foundation in mid-2023 after being recruited by Gembridge. She is thriving in this role, and here she shares the importance of finding a role that aligns with your values.
Featured Article
Recently, I attended a workshop run by Red Dust focused on First Nations reconciliation. From the outset, the workshop felt different. It wasn’t simply a presentation designed to deliver all the answers or neat takeaways. Instead, it was conversational. Participants were invited to share their thoughts, ask questions, sit with discomfort and learn alongside each other.
Insights
Looking for your next great read, watch or listen? Our team has curated a collection of thought-provoking books, inspiring podcasts and must-see entertainment, covering leadership, purpose, productivity, innovation and a little escapism too.
Artificial Intelligence is creating new opportunities for for-purpose organisations to work smarter and free up valuable time. Dawn Patrick explores how thoughtful AI adoption can improve efficiency, strengthen productivity, and create more space for the human connections and mission-driven work that make the greatest impact.
The right hire starts with the right timing. In this blog, Michelle Varcoe shares practical recruitment planning insights, including typical hiring timelines, notice periods, and why working backwards from your ideal start date can help secure the best talent and reduce risk.
Resources
A strong resume isn't about including everything you've ever done. It's about making it easy for recruiters to see why you're the right fit. Lisa Krishtul shares practical advice on tailoring your resume, highlighting relevant achievements, and showcasing the skills and purpose that employers value most.
As a recruiter, I often meet candidates with impressive backgrounds who don’t quite hit the mark in interviews - not because they lack experience, but because their delivery lets them down. The truth is, how you present yourself can be just as important as what you’ve done.
An important part of a recruitment process is the phone screening. This stage allows recruiters narrow down the pool of possible candidates to take through to formal interview. From a candidate perspective, this is your second opportunity to shine (first being your written application!).
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Timing & Planning for Recruitment
The right hire starts with the right timing. In this blog, Michelle Varcoe shares practical recruitment planning insights, including typical hiring timelines, notice periods, and why working backwards from your ideal start date can help secure the best talent and reduce risk.