Our team

Simon Freeman is the Chief Executive Officer of the Judith Neilson Foundation and the Judith Neilson Family Office. Simon has over 15 years’ experience across philanthropy and private family offices, and has been closely involved in the formation, management, and strategic development of a number of major Australian foundations, including four years as the inaugural CEO of the Paul Ramsay Foundation.

During his time in philanthropy, he has overseen the allocation of over $350m worth of funding commitments to a range of causes. A Chartered Accountant, Simon moved to Australia from the UK in 2004 while working for Deloitte and has worked for a variety of financial institutions in the banking and investment management industry. He is also a volunteer Director of Whitebox Enterprises, a leader in the development of large-scale jobs-focused social enterprises in Australia.

Upenyu Mawande oversees partnership and program management for the Judith Neilson Foundation’s Africa portfolio. Passionate about improving the lives of the world’s poor and addressing systemic inequity, she brings over 20 years’ experience in team leadership and program management within the international aid, development, and not-for-profit sectors.

Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Upenyu leverages her cross-cultural experience to design, implement and assure the quality of programs in over 50 African, Asian, Pacific and Latin American countries. Working with over 300 donor and implementing organisations, these programs span resilience and livelihoods, climate adaptation, gender equity, education, disability inclusion, peace and protection, health, and WASH, ranging from small, localised projects to large multi-country, multi-stakeholder initiatives across emergency response and long-term development. Upenyu has also served on committees for the international development peak bodies in both Australia and New Zealand. She is currently the co-chair of the Australian International Development Network advisory committee and a voluntary board member of Plan International Australia.

Titus brings 17 years of experience in international development, with extensive leadership experience in designing and managing multi-country programs through their cycle. He has a strong background in developing regional and global influencing strategies, capacity development initiatives, and conducting research and evaluation of projects. He brings expertise in economic policy, natural resources economics and governance, climate change, and social policy.

He has held senior leadership roles overseeing economic and social equity programs across Africa, with a focus on resource futures, regional development, and community-driven approaches. Earlier in his career, Titus worked with organisations including Oxfam, Transparency International, UNFPA, and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Based in Sydney, he champions locally led initiatives and works to advance educational and economic equity, environmental stewardship, and community development programs, aligning with the Foundation’s mission in sub-Saharan Africa.

Holly leads the Judith Neilson Foundation’s Australia portfolio, overseeing partnerships and programs focused on advancing equity, justice and opportunity for women, girls and communities across Australia. She brings 20 years’ experience across government, international development, health and social policy, with expertise spanning gender equality, domestic, family and sexual violence, healthcare, child and family services, human services and First Nations partnerships.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Holly was a Director at Nous Group, where she led major strategy, evaluation and systems reform projects across health, justice, human services and First Nations affairs. She has also held roles with DFAT, UNAIDS Cambodia and not-for-profit organisations.

Holly has worked closely with governments, Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, multilateral agencies and non-government organisations across Australia and the Asia-Pacific. She is passionate about community-led approaches and long-term systems change, and believes strong partnerships are central to creating more equitable outcomes for communities.

Abi leads the Judith Neilson Foundation’s innovation portfolio. She is focused on communities and organisations working to create more equal, more joyful, more empowered society – one that works for people and planet. Abi has spent a decade at the intersection of innovation, philanthropy, international and locally-led social change. She has worked across Australia, sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and Asia, in roles in the public, private and third sectors.

Abi is motivated by work that makes a difference to the lives of others – whether that’s Sydneysiders or Londoners, people in need of humanitarian assistance, communities experiencing inequality and poverty, or entrepreneurs and innovators. Her publications include: Managing Humanitarian Innovation: The Cutting Edge of Aid; How to Scale: Tactics to enable the Adoption of Innovation; and contribution to a definitive political study, the Great British Election of 2015. Abi lives in Sydney and loves to travel, to run and learning to look after her garden.

Rosie Makepeace oversees communications, strategic planning, and coordination to ensure the Foundation’s initiatives are aligned, effective, and impactful. With over 18 years of experience in international development and strategic communications, Rosie has worked on programs focused on governance, inclusive economic growth, and social equity across Asia, the Pacific, Africa, and Australia.

She has worked closely with governments, communities, and donors to deliver initiatives that drive meaningful change and strengthen systems. Rosie brings a deep commitment to collaboration and strategic engagement, supporting the Foundation’s efforts deliver sustainable and measurable outcomes.

Jade brings experience in international development and philanthropy, with a focus on grantmaking, partnerships and organisational effectiveness. Since joining the Judith Neilson Foundation, she has worked across the Africa and Innovation portfolios, supporting initiatives focused on inclusive economic growth, local leadership and locally led innovation.

Before joining the Foundation, Jade worked in philanthropic fundraising in the international development sector, supporting locally led initiatives that strengthened women’s resilience to crises and climate change. As Operations Manager, she draws on this experience to strengthen the Foundation’s grantmaking practices and support effective collaboration across its programs. Jade speaks English and French.

Sascha is passionate about social justice, equal opportunity, and sustainable solutions, she works closely with partners, beneficiaries and teams to drive meaningful change and strengthen systems.

Previously at the Minderoo Foundation, Sascha worked on diverse initiatives, including centring human rights in artificial intelligence development, advocating for the eradication of modern slavery, addressing humanitarian crises, supporting fire and flood affected communities in Australia, and enhancing First Nations entrepreneurship and employment opportunities. Sascha brings empathy, curiosity, and enthusiasm to her role, contributing to the Foundation’s mission of uplifting vulnerable communities.

Nitol was born and raised in Bangladesh, and has over nine years of experience in the development and humanitarian sectors, working with social enterprises, NGOs, the UN, and diplomatic mission. She brings expertise in program management, stakeholder engagement, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting.

In her recent role at the Australian High Commission in Bangladesh, Nitol managed aid and non-aid programs funded by the Australian Government, contributing to social development and economic growth. Previously, she supported the Rohingya Humanitarian Response in Cox’s Bazar, focusing on women’s empowerment, primary education, and skills development through locally-led solutions. With a strong academic background in development studies and a commitment to equity, Nitol is dedicated to advancing the Foundation’s mission of empowering disadvantaged women and girls to thrive and contribute to a just society.

Farazeen is the Program Support Officer at the Judith Neilson Foundation, supporting operational coordination across the Foundation’s portfolios and helping ensure effective systems, processes and communication across teams. She brings more than 10 years’ experience supporting complex public sector and international development programs across Australia and the Pacific.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Farazeen worked with the World Bank Group in Sydney, coordinating operational support across multi-country programs in the East Asia and Pacific region. She has also held roles with the Asian Development Bank and in the legal sector in Pakistan, with experience spanning stakeholder engagement, governance, operational coordination, executive support and program administration.

Farazeen brings strong experience supporting regional collaboration across governments, development organisations and international teams. She holds a Master of Laws from Macquarie University and speaks English, Urdu and Punjabi.