Sydney, 22 August 2024 – Today marks the official launch of the Aurum Foundation, a new not-for-profit social enterprise dedicated to fostering meaningful change through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). With a commitment to building stronger, more equitable communities, the foundation offers tailored consulting, training, and research services to help organisations embed DEI into their operations.
The Aurum Foundation is led by a distinguished Board of Directors, each with decades of experience in championing social justice and driving social impact.
Kyriakos Gold, Founder and Chair, has more than 30 years of experience in business, law, media, multicultural communications, and social impact. Best known for his work with Just Gold, Australia's first social enterprise management consultancy, and his award-winning work at SBS Radio, Kyriakos is passionate about building shared value ecosystems that align social outcomes with business objectives.
He is joined by Maria Dimopoulos AM, Australia's leading intersectionality expert whose work in multicultural affairs and advocacy for CALD women has earned her the Member (AM) in the Order of Australia. Maria has spent over 30 years advising government bodies on policies related to diversity and inclusion, making her a key voice in shaping Australia's social justice landscape.
Completing the board is Georgia Prattis, a consultant with nearly 30 years of experience in delivering reforms in diversity, inclusion, and intersectionality across the public, corporate, and non-profit sectors. Georgia is one of Australia's most experienced gender-based violence researchers and has developed transformative programs that challenge power dynamics and foster real cultural change.
At the heart of the Aurum Foundation's mission is its focus on three key impact areas.
Employment: The foundation is committed to building diverse teams with lived experience, ensuring that the services it delivers are informed by those who represent the communities they serve. By directly hiring people from underrepresented groups and placing them in key roles, the Aurum Foundation creates real employment pathways, empowering individuals and improving the effectiveness of its DEI offerings.
Knowledge: The foundation delivers impactful training programs, including the newly developed Aurum AQ platform, which helps organisations assess and improve their ability quotient (AQ) for inclusion. Through public events like Think Talks, Aurum also brings together thought leaders and advocates to share insights on DEI and intersectionality, offering fresh perspectives on how to create more inclusive workplaces and communities.
Intersectionality: Aurum Foundation's work is built on the principle of intersectionality, recognising that people's identities are shaped by a variety of factors like race, gender, and ability. The foundation works with organisations to integrate intersectional frameworks into their policies, ensuring a holistic approach to inclusion that addresses the unique challenges of diverse communities.
Kyriakos Gold reflects on the significance of the foundation's visual identity, noting, "Our logo, inspired by the concept of infinity, represents endless possibilities for growth and impact. It's a reminder that our work is never done — we're always pushing toward a future of greater inclusion, opportunity, and equity."
As it launches, the Aurum Foundation is actively seeking partnerships with organisations ready to take bold steps towards embedding diversity and inclusion into their operations. For more information on how the Aurum Foundation can support your organisation, contact us.
About the Aurum Foundation: The Aurum Foundation is a social enterprise focused on driving social impact through diversity, equity, inclusion, and intersectionality. By offering consulting, training, and research services, the foundation supports businesses, non-profits, and government bodies in implementing sustainable and equitable practices. Led by an award-winning board, the Aurum Foundation is dedicated to creating lasting change and empowering organisations to thrive in a more inclusive world.