Carla Wilshire OAM is the founding CEO of The Social Policy Group (SPG) and an economist with a focus on social policy design and the impact of technology. She has a background in public policy development and systems innovation, corporate governance, and tertiary research. Before establishing SPG, Carla worked in senior roles in the public service and as an advisor to the Government, principally in migration and settlement, including as Chief of Staff to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. She also held academic and consulting positions in Australia and abroad. Carla is the Board Director of The Australian Centre for Social Innovation, and the co-founder and Deputy Chair of the Migrant and Refugee Health Partnership and the Judicial Council on Diversity & Inclusion.
Chief Operating Officer
Chloe holds a degree in Accounting and has a solid background in health services management. Previously, she served as a manager at a health service organisation, where she developed her skills in operational efficiency and team leadership. Currently, Chloe is focused on driving organisational success and enhancing service delivery as the Chief Operating Officer. As a migrant herself, she is passionate about advocating for the experiences and voices of migrant communities.
National Director – Migration, Settlement and Justice
Nick works on policy and projects across The Social Policy Group (SPG) Settlement, Community Capacity Building, and Justice teams.
Nick leads the settlement, migration, capacity building, and justice activities for The Social Policy Group (SPG).
He facilitates the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) Community of Practice (CoP), SPG community grant programs, and access to justice work. Nick also directs teams that facilitate research, consultation, and policy formulation across settlement, community capacity building, migration, and justice.
Nick has a background in humanitarian-development research as well as evaluation and learning, having previously conducted research for non-government organisations, the United Nations, foundations, and donor governments, with a focus on Afghanistan. Nick holds a Master of International Relations from the University of Melbourne and a Bachelor of International Relations from La Trobe University.
Senior Project Manager and Policy Officer
Indah works across SPGs policy and project portfolio, supporting strategic initiatives and organisational priorities.
She is responsible for SPG’s Settlement Peak Body activities and facilitating the SETS Community of Practice. She also supports operations and team management.
With a background in copywriting and copyediting, Indah has worked across both B2B and B2C environments, with experience in communications, stakeholder engagement, and leadership roles. She enjoys building strong relationships and working in dynamic, collaborative environments.
Indah graduated from Swinburne University of Technology with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Media and Communications, with minors in Journalism and Philosophy.
Clinical Advisor
Dr Scott Takeshi Mills is a medical practitioner and working clinician with cross-over expertise in medicine, public health and communications.
Scott holds a Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP) with a Masters of International Public Health (MIPH), and has pre-medical background in media production and communications, digital technology and human-centred design.
Scott's areas of interest are health systems, health policy and health communications, with a specialised interest in AI safety in healthcare. This skillset offers a unique synergy of patient and provider service delivery insight with a population-oriented approach, communication and behaviour change experience, and a systems-level understanding of healthcare and the wider social determinants.
Communications & Policy Officer
Chai works across SPG’s portfolio to deliver communications, publication design, and digital and print materials.
He contributes to stakeholder engagement and the development of sector-facing products, including toolkits, newsletters, and guidance materials, supporting both content development and design. Chai also contributes to the design and development of SPG’s digital products, including the MyAus App, supporting user journey mapping and interface design to enhance accessibility and user experience. He supports outreach and engagement strategies and their delivery, and contributes to policy and research across settlement and migration.
He facilitates the National SETSCoP LGBTIQA+ Safety and Inclusion Network and co-facilitates the National SETSCoP Youth Network in partnership with MYAN Australia.
Chai has a background in communications, graphic design, and community engagement across the tech, construction, and education sectors. He holds a Master of Environmental Policy and Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Photography and Illustration Design.
Program and Information Officer
Jimena works across program delivery, sector engagement, and policy. Her focus is on the intersections of domestic and family violence and gender equity, and refugee and migrant settlement. As Program and Information Officer, Jimena contributes to the design, coordination, and delivery of national initiatives that support refugee and migrant settlement and community services, to better respond to community needs. She leads the National SETS Community of Practice Domestic and Family Violence Network and supports broader sector engagement through consultation, sector capacity-building, resource development, and stakeholder coordination. Jimena supports SPG’s community grant programs, including program administration, monitoring, reporting, and capacity-building with grassroots organisations. Her work also includes administering SPG’s Domestic and Family Violence in Settlement for Frontline Staff eLearning course and supporting initiatives that strengthen culturally responsive practice across the settlement sector. Jimena is motivated by work that is community-led and centred in the lived experience of migrant and refugee communities.
Policy & Project Officer
Madeleine is based in the Social Policy Group's Melbourne Office, where she works on settlement and migration policy and projects. Madeleine has a background working on Aboriginal health projects in Victoria's Community-Controlled sector. Madeleine continues to celebrate and support population diversity in her work, and strives to contribute to greater equity and responsiveness in Australia's socio-economic systems. From the University of Melbourne, Madeleine holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Economics, as well as a Master of Public Policy and Management.
JCDI Secretariat
Penelope works on the Secretariat for the Judicial Council on Diversity and Inclusion (JCDI) and the Diversity & Inclusion Justice Network (DIJN), providing administrative support for both bodies. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Political Science at the Australian National University and holds experience working as a paralegal in a family law firm. She is passionate about improving access to justice, and creating a legal system that is equitable and inclusive to all.
Digital Communications & Engagement Officer
Varsha coordinates digital design and multilingual communication for SPG, focusing on CALD audiences. She assesses community needs, builds capacity through skill development, and facilitates information delivery. Varsha led a campaign aligned with the National Dowry Abuse Prevention Framework, creating community-led resources on family violence. She holds a BA (Hons.) in Japanese and an MA in Asian and Pacific Studies, and is a former Japanese Government Scholar. She speaks Hindi and Japanese.
Acknowledgement of Country artwork by Eddie Longford, an Indigenous Contemporary Artist.
We also extend our respect to emerging leaders and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, acknowledging their enduring connection to the lands, waters, skies, and communities across this nation.
We honour the resilience, strength, and diversity of First Nations cultures and celebrate their ongoing contributions to society. Through our work, we strive to support equity, inclusion, and respect for the world’s oldest continuing cultures, understanding that this is fundamental to achieving social justice and a better future for all Australians. We acknowledge that sovereignty has never been ceded, and we affirm that the lands on which we operate always were, and always will be, Aboriginal land.