Celebrating the 2025 Social Impact Scholarship Recipients
The Centre for Social Impact is proud to announce its 2025 scholarship recipients, marking another year of supporting social-change makers through impact-led education.
Scholarships totalling $126,000 have been awarded to 25 students across CSI’s four partner universities, with the recipients recognised for their remarkable commitment and leadership towards positive change in Australia and overseas.
Over $1.2 million has now been awarded in scholarship funding to more than 220 students since the scholarship program was established.
Arminé Nalbandian , CEO of the Centre for Social Impact, said this year’s scholarship recipients brought a diverse range of experiences and knowledge to their quest for further study of social impact.
“We are proud to be supporting such inspired and talented leaders of social impact, and we extend our gratitude to our donors for helping make this possible,” she said.
“The Centre for Social Impact is committed to making postgraduate and impact-focused education accessible to ensure all voices are represented in the drive toward social change. Seeing our students transform their education into real social change isn't just rewarding—it's inspiring. These scholarships fuel both innovation and impact.”
This year’s scholarship recipients each bring unique experiences and perspectives to their studies. Among them is CSI Swinburne scholar, Joe Piasecki, whose career has evolved from working on submarines in the Royal Australian Navy to supporting social impact with Australia’s first Indigenous energy retailer. For him, the CSI scholarship represents an opportunity to deepen his understanding of how to drive positive change.
"After over five years on the ground in social impact delivery, I’m grateful for both this scholarship and the opportunity to further my learning through the Graduate Certificate. It’s an incredible chance to explore the impact sector from a new perspective, and I’m excited to apply these insights to drive meaningful change in the industry.”
A dedicated advocate for community development and change, particularly in supporting women from migrant and refugee backgrounds, Behishta Anwar is one of CSI’s Flinders University 2025 scholarship recipients.
“Receiving this scholarship to study the Graduate Certificate in Social Impact is an incredible opportunity. It will help me strengthen my ability to create meaningful change, particularly in my work empowering refugee and migrant women and ensuring they have the support they need to thrive in Australia,” explained Behishta.
Kimberley Peckham – a proud Wiradjuri woman from Wellington, NSW – has been awarded the Indigenous Female Social Impact Scholarship at CSI UNSW . As one of the founding directors of First Nations Response, a charity dedicated to providing food relief to the First Nations community of inner Sydney, Kimberley emphasised the invaluable opportunity the scholarship has presented for her work.
“The scholarship has alleviated the economic barrier to postgraduate study and made it possible for me to complete a Graduate Certificate in Social Impact at UNSW,” she said. “This degree will strengthen my skills for effecting social change, and my efforts to ensuring First Nations Organisations get a seat at the table. Nothing about us without us.”
Among the scholarship recipients at CSI University of Western Australia is Danica Scott, a social worker and community services specialist with a commitment to addressing social barriers and empowering disadvantaged communities.
“After almost 20 years in community services, I've witnessed how systems can either empower or fail the people that need them most. This scholarship is a welcomed opportunity to challenge myself, to think bigger and further develop my skills so I can turn my passion into real and sustainable change.”
Kamilaroi man and experienced impact leader Noel Dingle has received the Robin Crawford Memorial Scholarship, which honours the philanthropist and founding director of Macquarie Group who helped to establish the Centre for the Social Impact in 2008. Noel celebrated the recognition and the milestone the scholarship represents in his professional journey.
“I am honoured to receive this scholarship, not only as recognition of my hard work and dedication but also an empowering opportunity to continue my journey towards creating impactful change and fostering meaningful engagement between corporate and First Nations communities,” shared Noel.
Meet more of our Social Impact Scholars
2025 Centre for Social Impact Scholarship recipients
Behishta Anwar (Flinders)
Amber Brock-Fabel (Flinders)
Helen Cotter (UWA)
Noel Dingle (UNSW – Robin Crawford Memorial Scholarship)
Anna Foster (Flinders)
Sam Gorringe (Swinburne)
Carly Hennessy (Flinders)
Geethika Jegatheeswaran (UNSW)
Abby Kempe (Swinburne)
Liz Lawton (Flinders)
Alice Leake (Swinburne)
Kerry MacGrath (Flinders)
Natalie Mudge (Flinders)
Kimberley Peckham (UNSW – Indigenous Female Scholarship)
Joe Piasecki (Swinburne)
Melissa Rayner (Flinders)
Chanel Relf (Swinburne - Dr Christopher Baker Memorial Scholarship)
Danica Scott (UWA)
Rebecca Slavin (UWA)
Bel Spagnoletti (Flinders)
Sandra Stockley (UNSW)
Antonia Taylor (UWA)
Eleanor Tree (UNSW)
Emily Vandenberg (Flinders)
Sarah-Michelle Washer (UNSW)
Kelly Wishart (Swinburne)
Matthew Wilkins (UWA)
Miles Wu (UNSW)
