About Us

About Us

Founded in 2012, we’re proud to celebrate our upcoming 10 Year Anniversary this year and look forward to sharing the recognition with our generous members, staff, friends of the foundation and of course our loyal donors who have helped us get to where we are.

Our work has two key streams

Collaborative projects that build on telecommunications technology, reach and resources to support social causes through the Industry Impact Hub.

Building resilience in young Australians through Small Change Big Change by supporting a wide range of education and engagement programs designed to promote good mental health, a strong sense of identity and connection beyond connectivity.

Our Board

The Foundation is structured as a company limited by guarantee, acting as trustee of a Public Ancillary Fund (“PuAF”). This structure enables a wide mandate for fundraising from organisations, staff and customers, allowing the funds to be given to up to 20,000 charitable institutions in Australia. The Foundation has also been granted Deductible Gift Recipient status, enabling donations over $2 to be tax deductible and undergoes an annual audit by Deloitte Australia. The Foundation’s administration costs are covered by members, which allows 100% of all fundraising activities to go towards community partners.

The Telco Together Foundation relies on the skills and expertise of the Board of Directors and a high-calibre Advisory Board to guide strategic direction and to ensure the Foundation has a measurable impact and a sustainable future.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is the primary governance body overseeing areas of fiduciary responsibility such as risk management & compliance, financial management & reporting, investment strategies, and organisational performance. As required by the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, a Company acting as trustee for a PuAF must have a Board of Directors consisting of a majority of ‘responsible persons’ –that is, persons who are considered to have a degree of responsibility to the community because they perform a public function or they belong to a professional body. This may include doctors, judges, school principals, chartered accountants, or lawyers. As such, the composition of the Board of Directors is limited to a number and skill set that is appropriate to achieve efficient decision-making, whilst meeting the requirements of common law, tax law, good governance and statutory obligations.

Michael Stanley

Director of HR, Vodafone. Michael Stanley is a senior HR executive with substantial experience across the telecommunications and financial services industries as well as government and not for profit sectors. Commencing 2006 with Vodafone, Michael was the HR Director for Vodafone New Zealand between 2007 and 2012, for Vodafone Group Commercial (UK) between 2012 to 2014 and Vodafone Hutchison Australia from 2014 to 2017. Michael also has a passion for corporate philanthropy and Chaired the Vodafone Foundation Boards in NZ (2008-2012), Fiji (2010-2012) and Australia (2014-2017).

Michael Stanley

Michael Stanley

chair

Director of HR, Vodafone. Michael Stanley is a senior HR executive with substantial experience across the telecommunications and financial services industries as well as government and not for profit sectors. Commencing 2006 with Vodafone, Michael was the HR Director for Vodafone New Zealand between 2007 and 2012, for Vodafone Group Commercial (UK) between 2012 to 2014 and Vodafone Hutchison Australia from 2014 to 2017. Michael also has a passion for corporate philanthropy and Chaired the Vodafone Foundation Boards in NZ (2008-2012), Fiji (2010-2012) and Australia (2014-2017).

Renee Bowker

Renee is an experienced senior manager and strategic marketer with over 20 years in the telecommunications industry in Australia, Ireland and the USA. As founding CEO of Telco Together, Renee led the development of the Foundation’s strategic programs, including Text Giving, the Skills Exchange, and Small Change Big Change.
Renee transitioned to the Foundation Board as Executive Director in early 2018, with a specific focus on further developing industry-wide initiatives supporting disadvantaged communities within Australia.

Renee Bowker

Renee Bowker

executive director

Renee is an experienced senior manager and strategic marketer with over 20 years in the telecommunications industry in Australia, Ireland and the USA. As founding CEO of Telco Together, Renee led the development of the Foundation’s strategic programs, including Text Giving, the Skills Exchange, and Small Change Big Change.
Renee transitioned to the Foundation Board as Executive Director in early 2018, with a specific focus on further developing industry-wide initiatives supporting disadvantaged communities within Australia.

Well-known for his involvement establishing Vodafone Australia in 1990, Philip was a director of Vodafone Australasia until 2001 and has continued industry involvement. Through his support of health and the arts, Philip is a Governor of Florey Neuroscience Institutes and a director of the NGV Foundation. He is also a director of various companies involved in telecommunications, property and general investments.

Philip Cornish AM

non-executive director

Well-known for his involvement establishing Vodafone Australia in 1990, Philip was a director of Vodafone Australasia until 2001 and has continued industry involvement. Through his support of health and the arts, Philip is a Governor of Florey Neuroscience Institutes and a director of the NGV Foundation. He is also a director of various companies involved in telecommunications, property and general investments.

David Shewring

David is an experienced partner in the Assurance Practice of Ernst & Young, where he has worked since 2002. Previously with Arthur Anderson in the UK, David transferred to Australia in 1995. David’s experience includes a diverse range of industries, markets and financial services in the UK, Australia and the US. He has led a large number of high profile due diligence and public listing engagements and has extensive experience in both external audit and a number of specialist reviews and assignments such as financial and acquisition due diligence, public listing and business risk consulting projects. David holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from University of East Anglia, and is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, and a Registered Company Auditor. He has also completed the Graduate of Leadership Victoria in 2002.

David Shewring

David Shewring

non-executive director

David is an experienced partner in the Assurance Practice of Ernst & Young, where he has worked since 2002. Previously with Arthur Anderson in the UK, David transferred to Australia in 1995. David’s experience includes a diverse range of industries, markets and financial services in the UK, Australia and the US. He has led a large number of high profile due diligence and public listing engagements and has extensive experience in both external audit and a number of specialist reviews and assignments such as financial and acquisition due diligence, public listing and business risk consulting projects. David holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from University of East Anglia, and is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, and a Registered Company Auditor. He has also completed the Graduate of Leadership Victoria in 2002.

Jackie Solakovski

Jackie is a Partner at Lander & Rogers in Melbourne, where she has worked since 2002. Her areas of expertise are mergers and acquisitions, capital raisings and the commercialisation and exploitation of intellectual property. She has a broad based commercial practice and advises listed and unlisted companies. Jackie holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Law from the University of Melbourne, as well as a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance from Chartered Secretaries Australia. She is also a member of the Law Institute of Victoria. Previously Jackie has been the Chair of Women Sport and Recreation Victoria, Secretary of the Australian and New Zealand Sports Law Association, and a former member of the National Committee for GST Education for Sport.

Jackie Solakovski

Jackie Solakovski

non-executive director

Jackie is a Partner at Lander & Rogers in Melbourne, where she has worked since 2002. Her areas of expertise are mergers and acquisitions, capital raisings and the commercialisation and exploitation of intellectual property. She has a broad based commercial practice and advises listed and unlisted companies.Jackie holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Law from the University of Melbourne, as well as a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance from Chartered Secretaries Australia. She is also a member of the Law Institute of Victoria.Previously Jackie has been the Chair of Womensport and Recreation Victoria, Secretary of the Australian and New Zealand Sports Law Association, and a former member of the National Committee for GST Education for Sport.

Jono Nicholas Jono is the Managing Director of the Wellbeing Outfit and Chief Mental Health Advisor to EY Oceania. In 1997 he was one of the founding staff members of ReachOut, Australia's leading digital mental health service for young people and their parents. After 10 years as ReachOut CEO, he founded the Wellbeing Outfit, an advisory business that helps organisations drive performance by improving the safety and wellbeing of their people. He has an honours degree in psychology and a Masters in Public Health and was a 2018 finalist for the Australian Mental Health Prize.
Jono Nicholas

Jono Nicholas

non-executive director
Jono is the Managing Director of the Wellbeing Outfit and Chief Mental Health Advisor to EY Oceania. In 1997 he was one of the founding staff members of ReachOut, Australia’s leading digital mental health service for young people and their parents. After 10 years as ReachOut CEO, he founded the Wellbeing Outfit, an advisory business that helps organisations drive performance by improving the safety and wellbeing of their people. He has an honours degree in psychology and a Masters in Public Health and was a 2018 finalist for the Australian Mental Health Prize.
Janet Granger-Wilcox Now working as a consultant in culture, inclusion and communications, Janet was formerly Chief Reputation and People Officer for Aussie Broadband, having joined the company at the start of its rapid expansion in 2016. Before that, she worked in media, communications, people and reputation roles across various sectors and states. Janet holds a Master of Arts (Communication Management) from the University of Technology, Sydney, and is a Graduate of the JMW Leader of the Future program. She has a particular interest in inclusion and diversity, and was presented with the Cisco Women in IT Diversity Initiative Award in 2020. She has a long history of volunteering in the not-for-profit sector where her work has been recognised with the Queen’s Scout Award, WF Waters Award, and the Silver Koala for distinguished service to Scouting.
Janet Granger-Wilcox

Janet Granger-Wilcox

non-executive director
Now working as a consultant in culture, inclusion and communications, Janet was formerly Chief Reputation and People Officer for Aussie Broadband, having joined the company at the start of its rapid expansion in 2016. Before that, she worked in media, communications, people and reputation roles across various sectors and states. Janet holds a Master of Arts (Communication Management) from the University of Technology, Sydney, and is a Graduate of the JMW Leader of the Future program. She has a particular interest in inclusion and diversity, and was presented with the Cisco Women in IT Diversity Initiative Award in 2020. She has a long history of volunteering in the not-for-profit sector where her work has been recognised with the Queen’s Scout Award, WF Waters Award, and the Silver Koala for distinguished service to Scouting.

Advisory Board

The Board of Directors is supported by an Advisory Board that meets twice a year. The Advisory Board makes recommendations on the strategic direction of the Foundation by considering the fundraising and charitable funding initiatives submitted by the Foundation’s Executive. This includes considering the fundraising activities conducted by the Foundation and setting of fundraising targets, as well as considering which partnership and grants programs should be supported.

The Advisory Board consists of a number of experienced leaders from the telecommunications and not-for-profit sector. Invitations to join the Advisory Board is made to Chief Executive Officers of our Premium Members (key telecommunications providers). The Advisory Board meet half-yearly to consider Foundation activities, as well as presentations from thought leaders on social issues being targeted by the Foundation. Recommendations from the Advisory Board are passed to the Board of Directors to ensure compliance with the Constitution and other governance requirements.

Michael Stanley

Michael Stanley

chair
telco together foundation
Vanessa Hicks

vanessa hicks

Group Executive,
People Experience
TPG Telecom
Vaughan Bowen

Vaughan Bowen

Independent Representative

Christy Ditchburn

Sustainability Principal
Telstra
Helen Maisano

Helen Maisano

Director Group Sustainability
Optus

Louisa Harris-Baxter

Head of ESG
Vocus Group

Annabel Allen

Head of Risk & Compliance
Uniti Group Limited

Our Team

Renee Bowker
Renee Bowker – Executive Director

Renee is an experienced senior manager and strategic marketer with over 20 years in the telecommunications industry in Australia, Ireland and the USA. As founding CEO of Telco Together, Renee led the development of the Foundation’s strategic programs, including Text Giving, the Skills Exchange, and Small Change Big Change.

Renee transitioned to the Foundation Board as Executive Director in early 2018, with a specific focus on further developing industry-wide initiatives supporting disadvantaged communities within Australia.

Kristy Kelly
Kristy Kelly – Chief Executive Officer
Kristy is an experienced senior People & Culture leader, with a twenty year career spanning some of Australia’s most well known Telecommunications organisations including 3 Mobile, Vodafone Hutchison Australia and TPG Telecom. Kristy’s career is anchored in supporting organisations to deliver impact through great customer experiences through their people, developing curious, human and skilled leaders and driving inclusive cultures enabling people, customers and communities to thrive.
 
Kristy has a relentless commitment to create positive change and enable collective impact through collaboration. She looks forward to the opportunities to grow, engage and connect across industry in service of our members.
Carin Lavery – Program Manager, Industry Impact Hub

Carin is a specialist in creating and managing corporate social responsibility strategy and partnerships with over 20 years in corporate, consulting, not for profit and public sectors in Australia and the UK. She represented ANZ Bank on the London Benchmarking Group Steering Group, the Department of Education on the Merit Protection Board and received a Gold Sustainability Award for implementing a tourism sustainability strategy.

Carin is passionate about empowering people and organisations to utilise their strengths to address social problems. She believes that there are no bounds to what can be achieved when working together!

Jen Lau
Jen Lau - Marketing Manager

Jen is a passionate strategic marketer. After graduating from Monash University in 2011 she co-founded a local Retail Collective in Brunswick, Melbourne and mentored over hundreds of creative Australian businesses building their commercial confidence and small enterprise knowledge.

Joining the Telco industry in 2016 working across several areas of business including Projects and Diversity & Inclusion, Jen is a dedicated advocate of gender equality and inclusive practices. 

Max Einsohn
Max Einsohn - Strategic Projects Officer
Max Jared Einsohn grew up in Dallas TX and has been making the world a better place through his work as an Educator, Sound Wellness Practitioner and Entrepreneur. After launching his debut album in 2012 and completing a Masters in Education in 2016, Max moved to Melbourne, Australia, working as the Director of Education and Engagement at Temple Beth Israel. Max’s career pursuits have extended to include work as an environmental activist, interfaith progress initiate, tour guide, and youth-leadership advocate in North America, Israel, New Zealand and abroad. In his free time he enjoys bushwalking, meditating with his wife Shannyn and taking his dog Adva to experience the beauty of the Bunurong land he feels grateful to live on today.
Michael Goschnick
Michael Goschnick - Fundraising & Program Manager, Small Change Big Change

Michael’s purpose is to solve problems. Some problems (or opportunities) are more complex than others, but all evoke his passion for communication, creativity and change.

With a qualification in Marketing (BCom), Media & Communication and Videography (BA), coupled with 12 years’ experience across digital, content, branding and design, he’s hungry to help teams/organisations get the best out of their people, processes and technology and to help move the needle on their overall performance. More recently, he’s narrowed his focus to Design Thinking, adopting the principles and processes needed to solve complex business problems using a human-centricity.

Annual Reports