Nick's pretty stoked to be Stand Up's new First Nations Partnerships Coordinator (commenced July 2023). Having spent his whole life learning, leading and loving at Habonim Dror Australia, it felt pretty natural for him to move into a role which revolves around community, outdoor programs, education and social change. Over the course of his last few years years, Nick has been completely captivated by the history, wisdom, spirituality, and stories of Australia's First Peoples. Non-indigenous Australia has so much we can learn from this country's First Peoples regarding land, governance and community. He thinks it is a missed opportunity that Australia's education system does not provide an immersive First Peoples learning experience for its students. That's why he considers it an honour to coordinate a program as important and life-changing as Derech Eretz. It is a program which expands the minds of passionate non-indigenous young adults who are eager to engage with Aboriginal Australia but might not know where to start. When he's not working, he's out surfing or dancing to live music.

Bill is a highly effective executive leader with extensive operational and strategic experience across health and community services. Bill’s deep commitment to social justice is well suited to his role as Stand Up.

Originally trained as a Division 1 Registered Nurse, Bill holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) (RMIT), Graduate Diploma Industrial Relations/Human Resource Management (RMIT), and an Associate Diploma Occupational Health & Safety (RMIT). Bill is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). 

Bill is passionate about value-based leadership and how he can influence the development of a “good society”. Driven by a personal objective to care more than others think is wise, to risk more than others think is safe, to dream more than others think is practical, and to expect more than others think is possible, Bill is driven in his desire to create value through change.

Natalie Ranki-Goldman is the Senior Vice-President of People at Rokt and has worked with various social enterprises and NFPs over the last 30 years, with a particular focus on social justice.  She isdriven by a determination to make a difference in the world by using innovation and activating change to make a positive impact on individuals and society as a whole.

Qualifications: Masters of Organisational Behaviour and Communication (Charles Sturt) and BA Social Science and Public Policy (UNSW)

Adam is a nephrologist at The Royal Melbourne Hospital where is also Deputy Director of Physician Education. He teaches medical students at The University of Melbourne and is currently undertaking a PhD looking at quality indicators in the delivery of kidney care across Australia and New Zealand. Adam previously served as the JDC’s Ralph I. Goldman Fellow in Jewish Community Service working in disaster recovery in the Philippines and Jewish communities across Europe.

Courtney is Stand Up's CEO with a passion for social justice and the Jewish community. A former lawyer with experience in Senior Leadership roles in the community legal sector, Courtney is committed to advocating for systemic change and empowering vulnerable and disadvantaged people. After volunteering with a number of Jewish organisations, Courtney is excited to undertake this role which aligns her personal and professional skills and interests.

Click here to email Courtney.

Liat was the winner of the Gandel Young Leader Award 2014 (NSW). After completing the Stand Up ABC program, Liat was inspired to help asylum seekers. She initiated contact via letter writing with a young girl who was being detained on Manus Island. Through building a pen-pal relationship, she learnt about the conditions her friend was living in on Manus Island, with out much to play with and no toys. Following this, Liat arranged a toy drive at her school, Mt Sinai. Liat held a fundraising campaign in order to post the hundreds of toys to Manus Island. We are very proud of Liat and her incredible effort and initiative!

Abby completed the Stand Up ABC course in 2014 and was awarded the Gandel Young Leader Award 2014 (Vic). For her action project she started a little social enterprise called Abbacookie. Each month she bakes cookies, sells them, and donates 25% to support people with disabilities. She and her family were inspired by the program and decided to organise a special, cross-cultural celebration for her Bat Mitzvah. She compiled a cook book with Jewish and Sudanese recipes, and then had a fantastic challah baking party at the Stand Up Sudanese Homework club. Abby is a true mensch and her dedication to Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) is admirable and inspirational.

Many young people think, I don’t need to change the world. How am I going to change it if I’m only 12 years old? Someone else can change the world. If everyone thinks like that, and no one stands up to make a difference, the world will never change.

Avital was the winner of the Gandel Young Leader Award in 2015. She held a violin and opera concert to raise more than $1600 for the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation. She also participated in an Anzac Day sleep-out and dawn service, held a challah bake for important women in her life, and prepared meals for families in need at Our Big Kitchen. Mazel tov Avital, we are so proud of your amazing work!

Anna Berkowitz was awarded the Gandel Young Leader Award 2016 (Vic). She used her artistic skills to host an art exhibition at home with the help of family and friends and raised funds in support of Stand Up and the Lort Smith Animal Hospital. Great initative Anna!

Keira Davis won the Gandel Young Leader Award 2016 (Vic). Keira took action by hosting a book stall at her school during Book Week. She raised money to support Indigenous Australians through the Australian Literacy & Numeracy Foundation. Mazel tov Keira!