Rethinking Generosity, Justice, and Safety in Australia — with Nicola Stokes

Rethinking Generosity, Justice, and Safety in Australia — with Nicola Stokes

In this thought-provoking episode of Stars and Stories, MJ is joined by Nicola Stokes, CCA Board Member, General Manager AMP Foundation, to talk about the challenges facing Australia’s charity and community sectors.

With the rising cost of living, Australians are giving less, volunteering less, and increasingly feeling like they don’t have the time or resources to help. Nicola highlights that charities—once the backbone of our communities—are now being stretched thin by funding gaps, government red tape, and public disengagement.

But this episode goes even deeper, exploring systemic issues that affect community wellbeing.

“Australia now has 18,000 un-sentenced prisoners waiting to be sentenced.  A third of our prisoners have disabilities and chronic health conditions.  Over a third are Indigenous.  80% of prisoners have not completed secondary schooling.” https://communitycouncil.com.au

This episode asks a simple but urgent question:

What kind of country do we want to be—and what will it take to get there?

Listen now on Stars and Stories

Stars and Stories Podcast

Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland.

Meet Nicola

Nicola Stokes, CCA Board Member, General Manager AMP Foundation

Nicola has held national and international leadership positions as CEO, senior executive, and director. With a track record in the banking, financial services and for purpose arenas, Nicola believes that developing partnerships which result in increased market share or revenue, in addition to operational excellence, are key capabilities for any executive.

Nicola practices a leadership philosophy with positive psychology at its core as a way of creating environments within which individuals and ideas thrive.  

Nicola thrives in the complexity of positive and intelligent engagement with a variety of competing stakeholders, while effectively balancing the positive tension between relationship driven and governance focussed organisations. Nicola is a graduate of Monash University Melbourne, INSEAD and AICD.

When not focussing her energies in the for purpose sector, Nicola runs a merino sheep farm, with her husband George, in the southern table lands of NSW.