My path into philanthropy wasn’t a straight line. I started out in media sales, where I learnt how to negotiate and influence, then spent an extended stretch living in New York.
Back home in Melbourne and looking for connection, I started volunteering at St Kilda Mums (now Our Village). Before long I’d set up a workplace volunteering program, then moved into senior fundraising and corporate partnership roles, with communications, social media and PR along the way.
From there I crossed to the funding side as the inaugural General Manager of the DECJUBA Foundation. I built, grew and nurtured partnerships with more than 30 local and international charities and managed over $15 million in funding.
Having been both a fundraiser and a funder, I know the system from every side, and I’ve seen how often good ideas stall simply because people don’t quite understand each other.
So I started GILL WHELAN Projects. I believe philanthropy should feel more human and less transactional, and that giving should lead with joy. I like creating spaces where people can be honest, ambitious and practical – and then helping them get on with it.
I’m based in Melbourne and work right across Australia.