Meet the Presenters | Pub Pitch | Perth 31 January 2017

On the 31^st of January we’re bringing people together for a pub experience with a purpose.

For the price of a night out, you can get behind three exceptional social entrepreneurs working to improve the lives of communities from the Pilbara to Karratha, Cambodia and beyond. Meet the presenters below, who will join us at TFN Perth to share their stories, adventures and the innovative ways they’re making a positive impact on the world.

Get your friends together and join us at one of Perth’s premier rooftop bars for a fun night of inspirational storytelling and live-pledging. For further information click here.

Nicki Bardwell, CEO, Fairgame
In order to lead positive lifestyles, we need to have access to healthy choices. That is Nicki’s mantra and why she’s so passionate about enabling all Australians to have access to dedicated fitness programs, sports equipment and education.

With a background in research science and a Graduate Diploma in Education, Nicki has harnessed her skills, passion and diverse background by volunteering with Fair Game since 2012, where she has recently been appointed as their first CEO. Fair Game, based in WA, promotes physical, mental and social wellbeing through the provision of recycled sporting equipment, fitness and education. Nicki leads teams of passionate volunteers on trips to remote communities all over Western Australia, t0 empower them to have a positive social impact in underserviced and isolated Australian communities.

Through her commitment to Fair Game Nicki has merged her passion for volunteering, her love for Western Australia and her belief that everyone should have equal access to healthy choices, into a meaningful purpose – helping to provide positive community messages to kids all over the state through physical activity. Nicki will be calling on the audience’s support to engage more participants in Fair Game’s unique programs, to empower them to live healthier, happier and more active lifestyles.

Travis Ricciardo, CEO, Teach Learn Grow
Travis believes everyone should have equal opportunities to education, no matter their location, background or circumstances.

Growing up in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Travis witnessed first-hand educational inequality and an alarming opportunity gap. It was this childhood experience that had a lasting impression on Travis; defining his beliefs and instilling his passion for making a difference through education at a young age. So, now he is on a mission to make this passion a reality.

To achieve this, Travis and his team at Teach Learn Grow provide free one-on-one tuition and mentoring opportunities to rural and Indigenous Western Australian students. Their programs are inclusive and open to all kids in WA, with the aim of breaking down geographical barriers, providing positive role models and empowering them to realise their full potential.

At TFN Perth, we look forward to hearing Travis’ story and how Teach Learn Grow is improving the educational outcomes and opportunities of children in WA’s rural communities.

Duncan Ward, Founder & CEO, Classroom of Hope
“Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world” is the genuine belief and enduring inspiration that keeps Duncan Ward going.

After working for 17 years as a Network Engineer and Management Consultant, Duncan took a trip to Cambodia as respite from his job in the corporate world. It was here that he met an inspirational Cambodian man, Racky, who has boundless passion and determination to use education as the tool to transform his country. This fateful meeting changed both of their lives and, subsequently, the lives of many in Cambodia.

Also a true believer in the power of education to break the cycle of trans-generational poverty, Duncan was inspired by Racky and soon after their first meeting founded Classroom of Hope – an organisation providing children in the developing world with access to quality education, by building schools, partnering with best-practice NGOs to create child-friendly schools and providing scholarships.

In recognition of Classroom of Hope’s potential to change the lives of thousands of schoolchildren in Cambodia, Duncan was the recipient of the Australian Talent Unleashed Impact award from Sir Richard Branson in 2013 and also a 40under40 award winner in 2016 for his work with Classroom of Hope. At TFN Perth, Duncan will share his story and the organisation’s latest STEM4Women program, which is empowering young vulnerable girls to undertake tertiary studies in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.