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.
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 the SPG portfolio to deliver communications support, social media, digital and print materials. He has worked in communication, graphic design, and community engagement roles in tech start-ups, construction, and education sectors. Chai also supports SPG's policy and research in the settlement and migration. He holds a Master of Environmental Policy and Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Photography and Illustration Design.
Policy Officer
Jimena supports the work of Harmony Alliance and leads the Young Migrant and Refugee Women Advisory Group. Her work is dedicated to advocating for the rights of migrant and refugee communities, with a particular focus on how gender, race, and class intersect in these issues. Jimena holds a Bachelors Degree in International Relations from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City and recently completed a Masters Degree in Development Studies at the University of Melbourne. Prior to joining SPG, she gained experience in journalism, humanitarian aid, and community development. Jimena's commitment to these causes drives her ongoing efforts to support and uplift marginalised 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.
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.
Administrative Assistant
Zara is finishing her BSc in Human Biology and Science Communication. She is passionate about enhancing public health systems and improving access to healthcare.
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.