Impact Led Venture Creation for International Student and Migrant Leaders
Venture Creation for International Students and Migrant Leaders
🌏 About the Event
Starting a business or career in a new country is never easy, but it can also be one of the most powerful ways to create social impact and community change.
Join us for Empowering Change, a collaborative event designed for international students, recent graduates, and migrant communities who are curious about entrepreneurship as a tool for social good.
Through inspiring stories, interactive workshops, and real connections, this event will explore how you can turn your ideas into action while building resilience, networks, and opportunities in Australia.
💡 What to Expect
Keynote & Panel Discussion (40 mins): Hear from diverse entrepreneurs about how they started, the challenges they faced (visa issues, cultural barriers, funding), and the impact they’re making.
Interactive Workshop (30 mins): Work in small groups to brainstorm social/community issues that matter most to you, and generate entrepreneurial ideas to address them.
Sharing & Reflection (15–20 mins): Present your ideas, hear feedback, and discover opportunities to take your concepts further.
Networking & Refreshments (30–45 mins): Connect with speakers, peers, and community partners who can support your journey.
🌟 Why Attend?
Learn how entrepreneurship can be a vehicle for social impact.
Hear real stories from migrant founders and changemakers.
Network with like-minded peers, mentors, and support organisations.
Discover resources, programs, and communities to kickstart your ideas.
👥 Who Should Join?
International students and recent graduates curious about entrepreneurship.
Migrant professionals or community leaders exploring business as a pathway.
Anyone passionate about social impact, inclusion, and innovation.
🎙️Speakers
Jamal Hakim is the CEO and Founder of Hakim Consulting, where he specialises in turning ideas into impactful realities. With extensive executive experience across diverse industries, he is passionate about delivering innovative, community-focused solutions. A former City of Melbourne Councillor and seasoned board member, Jamal brings a unique perspective on business, community well-being, and sustainable growth. He holds degrees in Commerce, Asian Studies, and Law and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). Jamal’s leadership inspires organisations to align profitability with equity and evidence-based decision-making.
Eli is the founding director of Uncommon Collective, a community-led social enterprise creating migrant-friendly spaces beyond traditional startup programs, supporting 1.5k+ founders, creators, and leaders. Partnering with organisations and venture firms, he provides tailored navigation and business services fostering cross-cultural collaboration and entrepreneurial growth. Passionate about empowering diverse communities, especially South Asians in Australia and India. Eli brings over seven years’ experience leading programs and events impacting 1k+ adults and youth across community services, education, and mental health in three countries, focusing on building connections and driving social impact across cultures.
Shiao Lu Ooi is the Founder of Wombat Collective and is also a youth advisor at the Centre of Multicultural Youth, a recognized AFR Top 100 Future Leader and a Tedx speaker. She is a Bachelor of Arts graduate from the University of Melbourne, having double majored in politics and sociology. Shiao Lu was a previous recipient of the MyHero Award, which champions Malaysians who promote national unity and harmony across cultural barriers. She was the former National Chairperson for the Malaysians Students Council of Australia (MASCA), representing approximately 20,000 Malaysian students studying all across Australia. She is passionate about public and social policy, engaging in issues surrounding equitable access to education and fighting against school violence in educational institutions, as well as gender equity
Kasey Robinson (@bitpixi) is a Sr. UX Designer and Software Developer with a decade of experience, and now Founder of Hackeroos Pty Ltd, a community for hackathon events and Aussie tech news. A graduate of Tufts University and Designlab, she immigrated from the USA and is currently in the Catalysr accelerator program for migrant founders. She is also open to new opportunities in ethical tech, AI, and design.
👐 Hosted By
Wombat Collective: Empowering international students and multicultural youth to lead grassroots projects that connect communities.
Uncommon Collective: Helping founders, creators, and leaders thrive at the intersection of personal and professional growth.
✨ This event is more than a workshop — it’s a community-driven space to share stories, spark ideas, and create opportunities together.