Bernadette Black AM

CEO

Bernadette has a dream to see Australia lead the world in strengths based, primary preventative framing, policy & funding solutions so that all families and future generations can flourish.

From her own humble beginnings as a 16-year-old mother to founding and leading Australia’s only national organisation, Brave Foundation to support young parents, as its inaugural CEO, then being appointed as Founder and CEO of SEED Futures in October 2024, her life’s vocation is to unify hearts and minds to prevent and stop intergenerational disadvantage. Currently in Australia six children enter out of home care every six hours, largely due to our systems not meeting needs early. Bernadette has the track record, fortitude, passion, and influence to make change, so these numbers fall.

Bernadette is systems change leader, convening regular cross departmental round tables with Commonwealth, State Governments and philanthropy, to present stories and strategy blueprints to reform the system through primary prevention. Bernadette has an advisory council of 18 subject matter experts, meeting quarterly. She believes Australia can lead the way in transforming our traditional government systems so that everyone can flourish, whilst complementing our already necessary government functions.

Bernadette has an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard Kennedy, a Graduate Diploma in Perioperative Nursing and Bachelor of Nursing, both from La Trobe University and is an Australian Institute of Company Directors Graduate. She holds a Diploma in Business.

Bernadette Black is a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant service to young people, communities, and local governments. She has been awarded the Australian Tasmanian of the Year, Telstra Tasmanian Businesswoman of the Year and included in the top 100 Australian Financial Review’s Women of Influence for her pioneering leadership and impact.

Bernadette is married to Steven, has three children and is a young grandmother of two.

Watch Bernadette’s story

Purchase Brave Little Bear by Bernadette Black or Buy Brave Little Bear on Kindle

Jane Dickensen PSM

Policy and Advocacy Advisor

With a background in economics and education, Jane has worked in the Australian Public Service since the early 1990s across a range of social policy areas. Jane has worked extensively in family policy and was part of the team that developed, implemented and evaluated Australia’s Paid Parental Leave scheme. Jane has an ongoing interest in policies related to the workforce participation of parents.

More recently Jane worked collaboratively with the Brave Foundation to establish the Supporting Expecting and Parenting Teens program as part of the Try, Test and Learn Fund, a fund testing innovative approaches to assist some of the most vulnerable in society onto a path towards stable, sustainable independence.

Kia Pelham

Executive Assistant to the CEO

Kia comes with a career of strategic executive and personal assistant experience and is the backbone to this nimble department, whilst demonstrating daily the very real principles that SEED is built upon

Advisory Council

Andrew Tyndale
Impact Investing Specialist
Bernadette Black
CEO, SEED Futures
Carolyn Curtis
Emily Cormack
Grant Program Manager, Equity Trustees
Grainne O'Loughlin
CEO, Karitane
Jack Coghlan
Principal, Consulting, Social Ventures Australia
Jennifer Weber
CEO, Caroline Chisolm Society
Jill Roche
CEO, Brave Foundation
Lorraine Finlay
Australian Human Rights Commissioner
Lucia Boxelaar
Associate Lead Principal, Clear Horizon
Marg Thomas
Assistant Secretary, Women’s Economic Security, The Treasury
Max Jeganathan
Policy & Political Subject Matter Expert
Mellissa Gray
Reform Lead, Keeping Children Safe Reform Unit, Department of Premier & Cabinet, Tasmania
Rebecca Pinney Meddings
Director of Children, Youth & Inclusion, Brotherhood of St. Laurence
Simon Rowell
Director Economic Policy, Department of Premier & Cabinet (NSW)
Tamara Pararajasingham
National Manager Service Design & Development, Uniting Australia
Wendy Field
Head of Policy & Programs, The Smith Family
Sharon Bessell
Professor, ANU Canberra
Kate Harrison Brennan
Director, Sydney Policy Lab
Todd Babiak
CEO, Brand Tasmania
Marisa McArthur, Brand Project Manager, Brand Tasmania
Suzy Honisett,
Manager, National Child and Family Hubs Network, Murdoch Children's Research Institute
Liz Cameron-Smith
CEO, Foyer Foundation
Chantelle Hunt
Coordinator, Darrandirra Child and Family Centre, CAAPS Aboriginal Corporation

Our Board

Bernadette Black
Director
Wendy Field
Director
Jack Coghlan
Director
Andrew Tyndale
Chair / Director

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SEED acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work and live. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.

 

 

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