SIMNA Queensland resumed its activities in August with its first in-person event in several years, marking a significant moment for social impact professionals to connect, participate, and engage in a meaningful dialogue centred around the theme, “Social Impact Reporting and Management: Meeting Stakeholder Needs.”

Insightful Panel Discussion

The highlight of the event was an insightful panel discussion featuring prominent social impact leaders, who discussed the importance of aligning social impact reporting to the needs and expectations of stakeholders.

Debra Cottrell, the Chief Executive Officer of Carers Queensland, brought her remarkable experience spanning over three decades to the discussion. Debra emphasised the importance of nurturing an internal team culture and orientation toward social impact, and the value of giving impact measurement projects the time they need to become sustainable.

Lisa Siganto’s extensive experience as a social change leader added significant value to the discussion. Her insights into strategy, social impact, and value creation from different stakeholder perspectives resonated with attendees, offering a comprehensive view of how partnerships and collaboration can drive positive change.

Ash Hession brought a unique blend of corporate acumen and passion for positive change. Ash’s insights into translating social impact evaluation into actionable business decisions offered a practical organisational application of social impact data.

A common thread emerged during the discussion: the significance of having the right people in the room from the very beginning to ensure that all stakeholder perspectives are not only understood but also acknowledged.

A Call to Action

The insights, stories, and wisdom shared by the panelists served as a catalyst for networking among attendees, providing an opportunity to take these learnings back to their teams and programs.

For those who couldn’t attend the event, we encourage you to stay tuned for future opportunities to engage with the SIMNA community. Become a part of the ongoing dialogue on social impact measurement and management, and together, let’s drive positive change.

Authors: David Jack and Rose Ahearn (SIMNA QLD Organising Committee Co-Chairs)