About us

What we do

Effective Altruism Australia exists to support Australians to tackle the world’s most pressing problems. We do this by supporting Australians to donate to alleviate global poverty and tackle climate change, as well as supporting the Australian effective altruism community more broadly.

Alleviate global poverty with donations

With the rise of evidence-driven interventions to alleviate poverty, we each have an unprecedented opportunity to have meaningful, positive impact on a large scale. We use research from multiple leading charity evaluators to rigorously assess the impact that a donation can have.

All of our partner charities have been thoroughly and independently investigated, and implement interventions supported by the latest evidence. Effective Altruism Australia’s partnerships enable Australian donors to make a bigger difference. We fundraise and grant funds raised to these partner charities, offering tax deductions to Australians.

Tackle climate change via donations

In May of 2023 we launched the Effective Altruism Australia Environment Fund. The Fund helps Australians support the world’s most cost-effective climate charities by allowing Australians to donate to evidence-based, cost-effective, and high-leverage organisations. Once you donate, they work with independent evaluators to find where donations will be most beneficial. Donations of at least $2 are tax-deductible to donors in Australia.

Support the Australian effective altruism community

We are also focused on building and nurturing a national community of people who are thinking carefully about the world’s biggest problems and taking impactful action to solve them.

We do this in a variety of ways, including supporting local and university groups, the annual EAGxAustralia conference, our newsletter, connecting members of the community, and more.

Our values

Commitment to Others: We take the well-being of others seriously and are dedicated to making a positive impact by actively working to improve the world.

Scientific Mindset: We base our actions on the best available evidence and reasoning, valuing humility, seeking critiques, embracing new ideas, and considering alternative perspectives.

Openness: We prioritise doing the most good and remain open to different causes and approaches, willing to change our beliefs and actions based on compelling arguments and evidence.

Integrity: Trust, cooperation, and accurate information are crucial, so we strive to be honest, trustworthy, and adhere to ethical conduct that promotes thriving communities.

Collaborative Spirit: We foster a friendly and inclusive environment that welcomes diverse approaches and perspectives, treating individuals with different worldviews, values, backgrounds, and identities respectfully and kindly.

The above values are based on the Centre for Effective Altruism’s Guiding Principles, which we endorse.

Who we are

Effective Altruism Australia is run by a dedicated and talented team who collaborate online from various locations throughout Australia. The team belongs to a community of people who have made helping others a core part of their lives.

Our staff

Joanna Walter

Joanna manages the process design and implementation, finance systems, financial reporting, building the finance function. Before joining Effective Altruism Australia, Joanna spent many years working in leadership positions in various state and federal government departments. Previous to this, Joanna worked in the private sector, including at PricewaterhouseCoopers, and in the medical and construction sectors. Joanna is a Chartered Accountant and has a keen interest in process establishment and improvement.

Suzanne Connelly

Suzanne has spent many years as an accountant across both the insurance and retail industries. She took time away from the corporate world to focus on her family. Suzanne’s most recent role has been as a bookkeeper for a business within the construction industry. She enjoys being able to transfer her knowledge across to her role within Effective Altruism Australia.

Bridget Loughhead

Bridget’s role as Community Manager includes managing the EAGx conference and collaborating on projects to support the EA community. After involvement as an organiser for EAGxAustralia 2023, she discovered her passion for empowering EA community members on their path to impact. Bridget was a participant in the 2023 Research Training Program run by Charity Entrepreneurship. Prior to this, Bridget worked in IT consulting developing software, implementing marketing data platforms and managing projects.

Elliot Teperman

Elliot is excited about tackling the world’s most pressing problems by supporting events, community building, and new projects. Most recently, he was a Program Manager at the Coller Foundation, working to reduce farm animal suffering. He has also researched the moral psychology of altruism and meat consumption at leading universities. Elliot holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology; Hons) and Law from Monash University.

Megan Goodwin

Prior to joining Effective Altruism Australia, Megan worked in public practice accounting for 10 years as a chartered accountant helping small to medium business clients. She is excited to have the opportunity to contribute the skills she has developed to an impactful and meaningful organisation at EAA. Megan is keenly interested in mental health and community building and volunteers at a local not for profit organisation working in this area. Living on the south coast of NSW Australia, Megan enjoys bushwalks and board games in her spare time.

Grace Adams

Grace works for both EAA and Giving What We Can working on marketing, communications and fundraising. She previously worked across roles in marketing and management consulting, before pivoting her career to work in high-impact charities. She is passionate about creating a more generous, compassionate and kind world through her work.

Aidan Whitfield

Aidan has a background in health research and now works as a researcher at Giving What We Can. Before starting in this role, he worked in the ACT Public Service, where he contributed to evaluation projects and the ACT Government’s Wellbeing Framework. Most recently, he worked as a Senior Epidemiologist and Research Officer with ACT Health. Aidan is active in the effective altruism community and he has helped organise Effective Altruism Canberra since 2022. In 2023, he participated in Ambitious Impact’s (AIM’s) Research Training Program.

Nathan Sherburn

Nathan is an engineer, researcher and entrepreneur with a background in mechatronics engineering, education technology research, software and startups. As our Chief Information Officer, Nathan oversees our technology and data systems. In 2022, Nathan co-founded the Good Ancestors Project – an organisation addressing global catastrophic risk – and, in 2017, he co-founded FLUX – a teaching tool used by over 35,000 students and teachers each year. He loves hiking, playing guitar and using his technical skills to solve big problems.

Our volunteers

Andrew Bird

Andrew Bird is the Data and Analytics manager for Vesparum Capital. He leads the software and data science teams at Vesparum, overseeing full stack web development in Django / React. He is an Australian actuary (FIAA, CERA), and previously worked with Deloitte Consulting in Financial Services. Andrew also currently works as a full stack developer for Draftable Pty Ltd.

Our Board of Directors

Anthony Obeyesekere

Anthony works on economic policy advice and capacity building in developing countries. He has experience in the Australian, New Zealand, and Sri Lankan governments, and at the World Bank. He holds an MA in International and Development Economics, and BAs in Economics, Business, and Mathematics. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Community Directors Australia and has been part of the EAA team since 2015.

Greg Sadler

Greg has over 10 years’ experience in the Australian Public Service, including at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Department of Home Affairs, and the Attorney-General’s Department. Greg has led teams performing a range of legal advice, policy development and risk assessment functions. Greg holds a BA/LLB(Hons) from ANU and majored in philosophy.

Martin Gould

Martin works in philanthropy in Australia, with a focus on how evidence generation and use can be used to address disadvantage. He has worked for the Australian government on aid policy and economic development in the Pacific, and has led evaluations with not-for-profits in southeast Asia and southern Africa. Martin holds a BA (Honours) and Bachelor of Public Policy and Management (Honours) from University of Melbourne.

Michael Noetel

Michael Noetel is a Director and the Chairperson of Effective Altruism Australia. He’s an academic in the School of Psychology at the University of Queensland. He co-founded Ready Research, an Australian research team using behavioural science to work on some of the world’s most pressing problems. Michael holds a PhD (ACU), a Masters in Applied Psychology (UQ), and a Science degree (Hons, Advanced; USyd).

Chenoah Ellis

Chenoah Ellis is a senior lawyer specialising in compliance and risk management at a national plaintiff law firm where she provides strategic advice to senior leaders about legal professional obligations. Prior to her current role, Chenoah conducted high-profile litigation in the organic farming space. Chenoah holds a BA (Political Science) and BA in Law (Honours) from the University of Melbourne.

Luke Furness

Luke Furness is a dispute resolution lawyer (Special Counsel) at Clayton Utz and former CEO and current board director of Out for Australia, an Australian LGBTIQ+ student mentoring non-profit. Luke holds a Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland and a Master of Laws from the University of Sydney. He is also a non-executive director of the Brisbane Powerhouse, a major Brisbane arts and culture venue.

Supporters

Effective Altruism Australia is deeply grateful towards the many people who have volunteered, offered pro bono support or included donating to EAA as part of their business. In particular, we’d like to thank:

Former Board of Directors

Luke Freeman

Luke Freeman is the Director of Philanthropy at Effective Altruism Australia, as well as executive director of Giving What We Can. He was formerly on the board of EAA, and is also on the board of the Good Ancestors Project, a senior committee member of Effective Altruism Sydney, and has twice been the lead organiser of the EAGxAustralia conference. He has a strong background in technology and marketing having been the co-founder of Positly and on the team that built Sendle.

Dr. Catherine Low

Catherine is a Groups and Community Health Associate at the Center for Effective Altruism where she supports effective altruism groups around the world. Previously, she managed the Students for High-Impact Charity program and taught science, physics, and ethics at the high school level. She is also involved in EA community building across New Zealand and Australia. Catherine holds a PhD in physics from the University of Melbourne.

Dr. Brenton Mayer

Brenton also works at 80,000 Hours, where he tailors advice to individuals who are trying to have impactful careers. He previously practiced as a medical doctor in Cairns, QLD, and has worked with the charity evaluation organisation Giving What We Can.

Peter McIntyre

Peter is the Director of Coaching at 80,000 Hours, a non-profit that gives career advice to people wanting to use their careers to have a large social impact. He has a background in events and sales management and studied medicine at the University of New South Wales.

Lina Calabria

Lina is a co-founder and Chief Operating Officer at Bellroy, a Melbourne based carry accessories company whose mission includes using business as a force for good. Prior to working at Bellroy, Lina has also held leadership positions (including CEO and executive director) at a number of organisations. Lina holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons.) from The University of Melbourne.

Dr. Ben Toner

Ben is a co-founder of Vesparum Capital, a capital markets advisory firm, and Draftable, an enterprise software startup. Ben holds a PhD in Physics from Caltech and a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from The University of Melbourne.

Max Dalton

Max is Executive Director at the Centre for Effective Altruism, an organization which supports the global EA community. Before serving as Executive Director, Max worked in online content and research. He helped to set up the new EA Forum and the EA Grants program.

Szun Tay

Szun is a member of Giving What We Can. She is interested in extreme poverty, animal welfare, and aged care. She works at University of NSW, researching Cancer, Immunology & Gene Therapy and holds a PhD from Imperial College London.