Presentations

Mark is the Chief Operating Officer for White box Enterprises. He is a leading figure in the social enterprise sector in Australia. He has been a buyer from social enterprise, run a number of social enterprises and advocated for and provided services to social enterprises over a period spanning 20 years.

Mark was a co-founder of Social Traders and as Executive Director for 13 years, led the development of their social enterprise marketplace. He currently oversees the Payment by Outcomes Trial, shared services, the property entities, the Social Enterprise Loan Fund (SELF) and the Evolve capacity building program.

Jo Barraket AM is Professor of Policy Studies and Director of Melbourne Social Equity Institute at the University of Melbourne. Jo is Australia’s premier researcher of social enterprise and a leading researcher of social innovation. She is passionate about community-led change and undertaking collaborative research that makes a difference. Jo has published more than 110 publications and led more than $13 million in funded research in her areas of expertise. She is a regular advisor to governments and the OECD on social enterprise and the wider social economy. She is currently leading with partners an Australian Research Council Linkage project on scaling the employment outcomes of work integration social enterprises and was recently the lead drafter of the National Not for Profit Sector Development Blueprint. In 2023, she was appointed as a member of the Order of Australia (AM) for contributions to education and developing social enterprise. Jo lives with her partner, two dogs and MS.

Andrea is Co-founder and CEO of Hotel Etico, the first multiple award winning not for profit social enterprise hotel in Australia, employing and training young people with disability, challenging the wider community to see both the human and economic value of an inclusive society.

A strong believer in the transformative power of social enterprises to create sustainable impact, Andrea is an expert changemaker with over 25 years’ experience in the not for profit sector.
He held executive, director and advisory roles in charities and philanthropy in areas including disability, youth unemployment, homelessness, domestic violence, addiction, aged care and education.

Andrea is an Honorary Industry Fellow at the UTS Business School, 2022 AMP Tomorrow Maker and 2024 Westpac Scholar Social Change Fellow.

Saraya O’Connell is the General Manager of Hotel Etico Australia, the country’s first not for profit social enterprise hotel dedicated to inclusive employment and training for people with disabilities. A passionate advocate for diversity in hospitality, Saraya is committed to driving systemic change in disability employment, ensuring workplaces are not only accessible but truly inclusive.

With over 16 years of experience in the disability sector and a background in hospitality, Saraya brings a unique blend of expertise, leadership, and innovation to her role. She has played a pivotal role in expanding Hotel Etico’s reach, spearheading initiatives that empower trainees to transition into open employment while challenging industry standards.

Saraya’s leadership has helped shape Hotel Etico into a model of inclusion, proving that social enterprises can thrive while making a lasting social impact. She is an engaging speaker on inclusive employment, social enterprise sustainability, and the intersection of hospitality and disability inclusion.

Through her work at Hotel Etico, Saraya collaborates with industry partners to champion employment pathways for people with disabilities, advocating for change at both corporate and policy levels. She also co-hosts Room for All, the Hotel Etico Australia podcast, where she shares insights on inclusive leadership and the evolving landscape of social impact in hospitality.
Saraya’s unwavering commitment to innovation and inclusion continues to inspire the hospitality sector to embrace the full potential of diverse workforces, setting new benchmarks for accessibility and opportunity in Australia’s employment landscape.

Melissa Cofre holds a Master of Health and Human Services, a Bachelor of Science (Psychology), and qualifications in management and auditing, including a Certificate IV in Frontline Management, a Diploma of Management, and certification as a Lead Auditor.

With over 28 years of experience in the Disability Sector—and 11 years in senior leadership—Melissa has worked across Accommodation Services, Community Services, Employment, and Positive Behaviour Support. Her career is driven by a commitment to person-centred practice and empowering individuals with disability to live the life they choose. Melissa has also held roles as a Quality Manager and Auditor, bringing a strong focus on compliance and continuous improvement. Passionate about innovation, she thrives on developing new and impactful service offerings that foster inclusion, independence, and meaningful community connection. Melissa is known for her strategic leadership, collaborative approach, and unwavering dedication to quality, inclusion, and the rights of people with disability.

Dr Roksolana Suchowerska is a Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Social Impact, Swinburne University of Technology. With a background in political sociology, Roksolana researches public policies and government initiatives that affect jobs-focused social enterprise. She currently leads a three-year Evaluation of the Payment by Outcomes Trial for social enterprise—an initiative delivered by the Department of Social Services in partnership with White Box Enterprises. Roksolana previously contributed to research on social procurement policy in Victoria and Scotland, health equity impacts of jobs-focused social enterprises, and mapping of social enterprises in Victoria. Beyond academic research, Roksolana delivers high-quality, commissioned studies for government and community services organisations. She is committed to working with students and organisations across public, private, community, and hybrid sectors to co-create knowledge for equitable and inclusive social change. Roksolana holds a PhD in Sociology from The University of Melbourne.

Myron is a globally renowned CEO with expertise in strategy development, business model performance and change management.

He has a proven track record of disruptive strategies, performance improvement and global leadership and has worked across large companies and family businesses. Myron is currently using his strategic management and leadership skills to reimagine working, learning and living at Bedford Group Limited, a group of enterprises focussed on removing barriers to work and inclusive workplaces.

Myron is Vice President SA State NDS Committee, a Fellow of The Governor’s Leadership Foundation and a former Director of the Leaders Institute of South Australia.

Myron also serves on the Advisory Board for the Australian Institute of For Purpose Leaders and teaches Entrepreneurship at the University of Adelaide Business School.