Inclusivity Without Tokenism: Championing authentic engagement and co-creation in business, marketing and education

Tharani Jegatheeswaran, Partner and National Client Relationships Leader, Deloitte Australia

Ms Jegatheeswaran is responsible for curating Deloitte’s board, C-suite (CEO, CFO, CHRO etc) and emerging leader professional development programs for leaders across the Australian market.

She leads Deloitte’s Social Impact Practice, a dedicated practice that works with leaders and organisations to influence social impact at scale.

She is also the firm’s Race and Culture leader, responsible for activating a Race and Culture action plan to achieve our vision of “a leadership team and workforce that reflects diverse Australia.”

Outside her executive role, Tharani is a Non-Executive Director on a number of boards, including that of UNICEF Australia, Settlement Services International (SSI- Australia’s largest refugee and migrant resettlement agency) and previously, the Deloitte Foundation.
She is a passionate speaker and strong advocate for social impact (S of ESG), profit with purpose, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

Dr Ayan Dasvarma, School and Institute Manager, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Chair, Anti-Racism Project Group, Monash University

Dr Ayan ('eye-en') Dasvarma is a proud gay man, second-generation migrant and person of colour. He has held various roles leading services and teams in medical research and tertiary education settings for more than  20 years, building on a previous career as a medical researcher in Australia and the UK.

Alongside his work in the tertiary education and medical research sectors, Dr Dasvarma has extensive experience in service, advocacy and development across a range of community and professional organisations, working with and serving a diverse range of communities.

He carries out his work and service with respect and accountability, drawing on his lived experience and as a staunch ally, striving for equity, inclusion and agency for those impacted by structural inequalities and discrimination. He is a Director of Pride Foundation Australia, and was recently appointed as the Chair of the Anti-Racism Project Group at Monash University.

Sandi Grace, CEO and Founder, Grace Professional Services

Sandi Grace is a former Monash University lecturer and is now the CEO and founder of Grace Professional Services, a Victorian based NDIS Support Coordination Service that provides national support to NDIS participants.

After establishing her business in 2019, Ms Grace swiftly obtained registration as a NDIS provider in February 2020. Remarkably, she onboarded her first team member just one week before the onset of the initial COVID-19 lockdown. Throughout the challenging lockdown period, she dedicated herself tirelessly to, and is now a leader in, an industry that assists vulnerable members of society.

Ms Grace’s dedication to community welfare also remains unwavering. She created Sisterhood FMP, an initiative aimed at promoting awareness and education about domestic violence. Her innovative campaigns continue to create a positive impact. She also holds the positions of Founder and President at Hear Together Australia, a rapidly expanding support network for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families.

Serving as a volunteer of the Frankston Toy Library for 13 years, Ms Grace played a pivotal role in elevating it to become one of Australia's largest toy libraries. As a proud resident of Frankston and community advocate, she has recently announced her candidacy for the Frankston City Council elections. She is also a mum to teenage daughters, both with disabilities and is a foster carer.

In her commitment to community service, Ms Grace volunteers across various local organisations, and has earned recognition through multiple awards. Notably, she takes immense pride in the rapid growth and national reach of Grace Professional Services, which stands as a trailblazer in supporting NDIS participants across the country. She employs many locals in her company and is very proud of the difference her team is making to people’s lives.

Mervyn Davis, CEO, Claystone Marketing

Mr Davis is a proud Dunghutti and Kamilaroi First Nations leader, dedicated Christian, and a devoted husband and father. With a robust foundation in business and marketing, Mr Davis’ career is marked by his unwavering commitment to Closing the Gap and championing the self-determination and advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

As the driving force behind Claystone Marketing, Indigenous Medical Supplies, and the AIQCAI Institute of Ethics, he has consistently demonstrated his innovative and strategic thinking. His companies are at the forefront of delivering essential services, community and economic development, and providing mentorship within the First Nations community.

Mr Davis’ strengths are deeply rooted in his faith, culture, community, and Country. He draws inspiration from his family and holds his father as his greatest role model. This blend of personal and professional influences fuels his passion and dedication to creating meaningful and lasting change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across Australia.