Seven years ago, I stood in this very room on a similar stage at the Triennial and International Settlement Conference. I was there to share about the launch of Welcoming Cities and…
Hello + Welcome
Accomplice. Advisor. Partner. Dad.
Coffee addict enthusiast.
I was raised in a household that gardened sustainably; practiced consumer activism; owned a personal computer; and, embraced ‘diversity and inclusion’ – long before any of those things were fashionable. I would often go to the Mosque on Friday (with my Dad) and would be sent to Church on Sunday (by my Mum).
I dreamed of being a writer, teacher, designer, humanitarian, actor, runner and professional Lego constructor. Now, I kind of do all those things – except I don’t get paid to construct Lego.
Currently, I lead Welcoming Australia, Welcoming Cities and a few other things; and, I generally apply ten key principles in my work.
Latest Posts
The Stories We Prefer To Tell
Speech delivered on 28 October, by Aleem Ali, at a QUT Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice event to thank partners and key stakeholders for their ongoing support alongside the…
Learning to Walk Behind
”We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.” Uluru Statement from the Heart Walking with or alongside frequently excluded people and communities…
Various Projects
Welcoming Australia 
A non-partisan movement and organisation committed to cultivating a culture of welcome and advancing an Australia where people of all backgrounds have equal opportunity to belong, contribute and thrive.
Website: welcoming.org.au
A non-partisan movement and organisation committed to cultivating a culture of welcome and advancing an Australia where people of all backgrounds have equal opportunity to belong, contribute and thrive.
Website: welcoming.org.au
Welcoming Cities 
Creating a national network of cities, shires, towns and municipalities who are committed to an Australia where everyone can belong and participate in social, economic and civic life.
Website: welcomingcities.org.au
Creating a national network of cities, shires, towns and municipalities who are committed to an Australia where everyone can belong and participate in social, economic and civic life.
Website: welcomingcities.org.au
For the Common Good 
For the Common Good seeks to inspire, equip and mobilise passionate people to implement great ideas that advance the common good.
Website: forthecommongood.co
For the Common Good seeks to inspire, equip and mobilise passionate people to implement great ideas that advance the common good.
Website: forthecommongood.co
FOUND 
FOUND is a welcoming and inclusive Christian faith community whose vision and aspiration is that they would be known by their love.
As a community they seek to explore faith and doubt, certainty and uncertainty, and engage difference and diversity with a posture of humility and grace. They are passionate about the common good (the most good for all people), recognising that God is passionate about justice for the poor and most vulnerable people in our society.
Website: wearefound.co
FOUND is a welcoming and inclusive Christian faith community whose vision and aspiration is that they would be known by their love.
As a community they seek to explore faith and doubt, certainty and uncertainty, and engage difference and diversity with a posture of humility and grace. They are passionate about the common good (the most good for all people), recognising that God is passionate about justice for the poor and most vulnerable people in our society.
Website: wearefound.co
Jemima 
A warm, delightful story of a little girl and the importance of creativity in children’s lives.
A warm, delightful story of a little girl and the importance of creativity in children’s lives.
Making Waves 
“Making Waves: Expressions of Gender Equality in the Sacred Texts and Islamic Tradition” explores the role of women, gender and feminism in Islam.
Client: International IDEA
“Making Waves: Expressions of Gender Equality in the Sacred Texts and Islamic Tradition” explores the role of women, gender and feminism in Islam.
Client: International IDEA
Academy for Young Entrepreneurs 
The Academy for Young Entrepreneurs seeks to empower children as innovators, change-makers and entrepreneurs.
The Academy for Young Entrepreneurs seeks to empower children as innovators, change-makers and entrepreneurs.
180 Studios 
180 Studios was a creative production company that worked collaboratively to craft and communicate distinct and authentic Australian stories through film, music and culture.
180 Studios was a creative production company that worked collaboratively to craft and communicate distinct and authentic Australian stories through film, music and culture.
lowercase 
The enterprise name, lowercase, was inspired by and indicative of:
- marginalisation of young people in cultural production, planning, development and decision-making processes
- rapidly changing literacies and technologies and their impact on language and communication
- contemporary, responsive, alternative and innovative practice
The initiative employed and trained young people, particularly those at risk of homelessness or otherwise disadvantaged, to participate in and assist in delivering outcome focused projects for a wide variety of clients.
The enterprise name, lowercase, was inspired by and indicative of:
- marginalisation of young people in cultural production, planning, development and decision-making processes
- rapidly changing literacies and technologies and their impact on language and communication
- contemporary, responsive, alternative and innovative practice
The initiative employed and trained young people, particularly those at risk of homelessness or otherwise disadvantaged, to participate in and assist in delivering outcome focused projects for a wide variety of clients.
Human Ventures 
A creative and social enterprise that works with diverse communities and socially-responsible organisations. Through innovative community programs and creative services they work to address problems such as poverty, social exclusion, and sustainability.
Website: human.org.au
A creative and social enterprise that works with diverse communities and socially-responsible organisations. Through innovative community programs and creative services they work to address problems such as poverty, social exclusion, and sustainability.
Website: human.org.au
Bleeding Heart 
Located in the iconic, heritage listed School of Arts building (Ann Street, Brisbane) – the venue and outlet quietly commenced trading in May 2008. All Bleeding Heart products were distinct, ethical, of exceptional quality, and sought to encourage and communicate a better world.
Located in the iconic, heritage listed School of Arts building (Ann Street, Brisbane) – the venue and outlet quietly commenced trading in May 2008. All Bleeding Heart products were distinct, ethical, of exceptional quality, and sought to encourage and communicate a better world.
Biddy Bags 
Biddy Bags is a boutique social enterprise that connects socially isolated women through craft, economic participation and social networking. The enterprise designs and manufactures a growing range of unique, high-quality handcrafted products by and for women.
Challenging the idea that the older you get the less you have to contribute to society, the Biddy Bag is both a fashion and a social statement.
Website: biddybags.com.au
Biddy Bags is a boutique social enterprise that connects socially isolated women through craft, economic participation and social networking. The enterprise designs and manufactures a growing range of unique, high-quality handcrafted products by and for women.
Challenging the idea that the older you get the less you have to contribute to society, the Biddy Bag is both a fashion and a social statement.
Website: biddybags.com.au
SpeakOut 
Established in 1995, SpeakOut was formed to address issues of self-worth, poverty, homelessness and unemployment among young people. With a motto and business model of design by young people, for young people, SpeakOut successfully trained, developed and employed young people as designers, facilitators, and community artsworkers and transitioned them into careers in the creative industries and other fields.
Established in 1995, SpeakOut was formed to address issues of self-worth, poverty, homelessness and unemployment among young people. With a motto and business model of design by young people, for young people, SpeakOut successfully trained, developed and employed young people as designers, facilitators, and community artsworkers and transitioned them into careers in the creative industries and other fields.
Experience
Sep 2021 - Present
Deputy Chair, Oxfam Australia
Australia
Sep 2018 - Present
CEO, Welcoming Australia
Brisbane, Australia
Jan 2016 - Jun 2019
National Manager, Welcoming Cities
Brisbane, Australia
Feb 2018 - Sep 2019
Advisor, Apolitical
International
Jul 2017 - Jul 2019
Advisor, Welcoming Communities (Immigration New Zealand)
Wellington, New Zealand
Aug 2016 - Feb 2019
Lead Pastor, FOUND Community
Brisbane, Australia
Oct 2015 - Present
Founder & Director, Possible Group
Brisbane, Australia
Dec 2012 - Dec 2015
Executive Pastor, Hope City Church
Queensland, Australia
Dec 2010 - Dec 2015
Chief Executive Officer, Hope Empowered Ltd.
Brisbane, Australia
Feb 2012 - Dec 2015
Creative Director, 180 Studios
Brisbane, Australia
Jun 2002 - Dec 2010
Managing Director, Human Ventures
Brisbane, Australia
Jul 1998 - Dec 2001
City Projects Coordinator, Brisbane City Council
Brisbane, Australia
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