OUR PHILOSOPHY

The Next Generation is our foundation and the people, projects, and organisations we support and back.

As philanthropists, we shift the focus onto the social innovators and their work: the visionary leaders we seek are the local voices who take charge of creating solutions to the world’s most pressing issues by leading collective action.

The Next Generation starts with us.

OUR MISSION

The Next Generation’s mission is to expand the change-making influence of visionary humans

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OUR COMMITMENT

Our focus is on people and on building intergenerational leadership.

Our grantees are ambitious changemakers with a young mindset “in heart and approach”, regardless of their age.

  • While creating systemic change isn’t an individual enterprise, the igniting passion of visionary individuals often translates into a powerful catalyst that mobilises a bigger movement.

  • Typically, dissatisfaction with the current status quo is a vital element of change. Everything in history that pushed society forward, starting with brave individuals and then evolving into organised efforts, highlights the galvanising force of grassroots-led direct action. At first, these revolutionary movements are regularly dismissed as radical, but in hindsight, they play a crucial part in clearing the way for their ideals and claims to reach the mainstream.

  • The Next Generation understands that real, lasting impact requires driven leaders who embody a sense of purpose combined with the sort of creative energy that is necessary to inspire a new way of thinking, being – and ultimately, acting.

Caring
Doers

We deeply care about the world we live in, and each other’s well-being. We have the interest of the generations to come at heart. We walk our talk and support real actions.

Authentic change goes hand-in-hand with transparency, integrity, and accountability.

Daring
Innovators

The challenges we are confronted with are complex and monumental – no one has all the answers. We sharpen our gaze for extraordinary leaders, centering their work in shaping new paths forwards.

We are here to be of service to their vision.

Curious
Visionaries

We believe that adversity contains the possibility of transformation and aren’t afraid to shake things up.

Embracing early-stage innovation, we help get new, bold ideas off the ground. We keep pushing the limits of what we think is possible, and never stop learning.

We think big, and act locally.

Sensitive
Rebels

Often, to create real change we need to take a radical stand. We break rules, challenge norms, and look at things from a different perspective. We are critical thinkers who avoid confrontation for the sake of it.

We are determined yet friendly, so that every voice and every lived experience feels valued, included, and represented.

Meet Our Team

  • Nick Molnar

    DIRECTOR

    Nick Molnar is a serial innovator with extensive experience specifically in the online retail and fintech space. Nick is co-founder and CEO of Afterpay, a leading Australian retail payments innovator and one of Australia's fastest growing fintech companies. Afterpay was acquired by American payments company Square, Inc. (later renamed Block, Inc.) in January 2022, where Nick continues to lead their commerce initiatives. Nick grew up in Sydney and according to his mum (who is generally a good authority), was really the athlete who became the tech innovator after an injury playing rugby.

  • Gabi Molnar

    DIRECTOR

    Born in South Africa, Gabi moved to Australia when she was 18 with her family. Gabi is a trained architect and if you’ve read the Afterpay origin story, is actually the one who was up studying late into the night when Anthony Eisen thought it was Nick working away on his business. She’s also a mother of three young, very active children. She would love to paint if she had time and always has an eye open for interesting designs in the world, wherever she may be.

  • Kathy Shand

    DIRECTOR

    Kathy is a serial caring doer and curious visionary (so is right on brand for Next Gen). Kathy is the Chair of the Sydney Writers Festival of which she has been a part of for 9 years. She has also served on the boards of the State Library of New South Wales Foundation, The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation and the Sydney Childrens' Hospital Foundation. She was co-publisher of the Australian Jewish News for several years and has extensive community involvement in almost every area one could think of. Kathy has a Bachelor of Arts Law (BaLlb) from the University of Sydney and a Masters of international Relations (USyd) and has raised three extremely well balanced humans who are also all caring doers.

  • Courtney Miller

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Courtney has been a political adviser, worked in the arts and fashion, always with an interest for the generations to come at heart. Courtney is on the board of the Byron Writers Festival, the Bangalow Film Festival and Surfers for Climate. Her degrees include a Bachelor of International Relations (Griffith Uni), Diploma International Studies (Sciences-Po Paris) and Masters of Public Policy (Berkeley, California). When not on email, Courtney can be found in her home town on the most Easterly hip of Australia either in the water or with her hands in her garden (sometimes with the help of her enthusiastic 5 year old).