About us

Our work

Effective Altruism Australia exists to support Australians to tackle the world’s most pressing problems. We do this by facilitating tax-deductible donations to high-impact, rigorously vetted charities in poverty alleviation and climate action, while providing community events, support, and career opportunities.

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.

Independent Charity Recommendations

We enable Australians to make tax-deductible donations to highly cost-effective and transparent charitable programs. With advancements in evidence-driven interventions for poverty alleviation and emissions reduction, each of us has an unprecedented opportunity to significantly grow our positive impact on a significant scale. We leverage research from leading evaluators to identify which charities can take your donations furthest in saving and improving lives and reducing climate change. The charities we select to partner with undergo thorough independent assessment and deliver interventions supported by robust evidence. Learn more about our partner charities and our evaluation process.

Advice, Resources, and Community Building

We also build and nurture a national community of people committed to thoughtful analysis of the world’s biggest problems and taking impactful actions to solve them. We do this by hosting events such as the annual EAGxAustralia conference, offering free personalised guidance and resources, supporting local and university groups, publishing a monthly newsletter, and fostering connections among community members. Learn more about how to get involved in effective altruism in Australia.

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.

Our Board of Directors

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 in the Pacific, South Asia, and Indonesia. 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 EA Australia team since 2015.

Greg is the CEO of Good Ancestors Policy, where he leads work on global catastrophic risk reduction, including AI Safety. Greg has over 15 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 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 is a Director and the Chairperson of Effective Altruism Australia. He’s an associate professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Queensland and an affiliate researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Michael holds a PhD (ACU), a Masters in Applied Psychology (UQ), and a Science degree (Hons, Advanced; USyd).

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 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.

Our Team

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.

Suzanne has spent many years as an accountant across both the insurance and retail industries. She also has many years of bookkeeping experience within the construction industry. Suzanne previously worked as Financial Operations Accountant at The Life You Can Save Australia. She enjoys being able to transfer her knowledge across to her role within Effective Altruism Australia.

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 Ambition Impact’s (AIM) Research Training Program. Prior to this, Bridget worked in IT consulting, developing software, implementing marketing data platforms and managing projects.

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 is a Chartered Accountant with over 11 years of experience, including nine years in public practice and two years in management accounting within the nonprofit sector. She previously served as Head of Accounting at The Life You Can Save, where she gained expertise in both Australian and US finance operations. Megan is passionate about using the skills she has developed to make a positive impact at meaningful organisations like Effective Altruism Australia (EAA). Living on the south coast of NSW, she enjoys walking her dogs and playing board games in her spare time.

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 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 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.

For 14 years, Thomas has driven purpose-led environmental, humanitarian and food systems initiatives spanning five continents. His work in advocacy, campaigns, fundraising, and strategic systems change has seen him recognised through the Australian of the Year and CommBank Young Hero awards programs. In his part-time role with EAA and Giving What We Can, Thomas works to grow support for our highly effective partners in global health, wellbeing, and climate.

Who we are

Suzanne Connelly

Finance & Operations

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

Community

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

Community

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

Finance & Operations

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

Fundraising & Marketing

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

Research

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

Technology & Data Security

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.