In this powerful episode of The Strategy Sessions, host Jeremy Birt sits down with Tanya Jackson Vaughan, one of Australia’s most impactful Social Justice leaders. Tanya shares candid insights from her time leading the Refugee Advice and Casework Service and Dress for Success, as well as her current work coaching social impact organisations.
Together, they explore:
What social justice really means today—and why it still matters
The role individuals and businesses can play in driving meaningful change
How to get involved with purpose—without falling into "virtue signalling"
The emotional toll of advocacy work—and strategies for sustainable leadership
Stories of resilience, community, and impact that inspire action
This is a conversation about courage, systems, values, and the power of real leadership. Whether you’re a leader, volunteer, board director, or just curious about doing more, Tanya’s story will leave you motivated and better equipped to lead with purpose.
🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more honest conversations with the people shaping strategy, leadership, and impact.
Check out this interview with Sean Garvey and delving into the "Hidden Job Market"
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Listen to:
✅Gain visibility in the hidden leadership market
✅Align with the expectations of top-tier Executive Search firms
✅Position yourself for roles that are not yet public — but highly strategic
✅Navigate the nuances of board-level and C-suite engagement
A great conversation for those thinking beyond the next role — and towards long-term leadership impact.
🎙 Get "Media Savvy" Podcast with Dr Fiona Reynolds!
Whether you're leading a company, launching a cause, or stepping into the spotlight, how you handle the media can shape your reputation—and your results. In this episode, we dive into how to harness the media to your advantage, even in tough situations.
Join us on the podcast where we explore:
✅ How harness the power of the media
✅ What journalists really want
✅ Practical strategies to approach manage your media message
✅ The role of AI in the media
If you want to build influence, control the narrative, and engage confidently with the media—this one’s for you.
Join Bernie Brookes AM and me on the latest Strategy Series Podcast where we talk about the evolution of Retail in Australia and Globally....
In this episode of the Strategy Sessions, Bernie takes us through the colourful journey he's had over many decades in the Retail industry, and shares with us his thoughts on who the movers and shakers are now, and what markets are leading the way globally. It's not who you might think!
Come on the RETAIL journey with Bernie to understand more about the:
✅Roots of retail in Australia
✅Development of the retail industry over the last forty years, through to the present day
✅ Future including the importance of omnichannel strategies and the impact that AI will have on the industry.
Host: Jeremy Birt, Founder of The Strategy Factory
Guest: Tania Jackson Vaughan
Jeremy Birt: Welcome to The Strategy Sessions. This is where we cut through the noise and explore what it really takes to lead, grow, and reach your goals in business. In this session, we're focusing on social justice—why it's important, and why we should get involved.
I'm your host, Jeremy Birt, leadership coach and mentor to CEOs, emerging leaders, and businesses looking for strategic support to reach their full potential fast. Let me introduce today’s guest to help us unpack the social justice agenda.
I'm really excited to welcome Tania Jackson Vaughan to the session. Welcome, Tania.
Tania Jackson Vaughan: Hi Jeremy! Ha ha.
Jeremy Birt: I’ll read your bio out—it’s concise, but impressive.
Tania Jackson Vaughan is a respected social justice leader based in Sydney, known for her strong advocacy for human rights and marginalised communities. From 2011 to 2019, she was Executive Director of the Refugee Advice and Casework Services (RACS), where she championed the rights of asylum seekers. She later became CEO of Dress for Success, supporting women’s economic independence through career programs and professional attire.
Earlier in her career, Tania worked as a university ESL teacher and adviser to Anthony Albanese MP, highlighting her board experience in education and policy. Her impact has been recognised with awards including the AFR’s 2018 Women of Influence and the 2016 Impact 25. She now runs a coaching practice offering strategic support to social justice organisations.
Tania’s career is defined by a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and community empowerment.
So, welcome again to the session and thanks for spending time with us. Let’s get straight into it.
Social justice is such a broad topic—what does it mean to you?
Tania Jackson Vaughan: Social justice, for me, means making sure that everybody—regardless of where they were born, their social status, how they came here, what they do, and who they are—has the same opportunities. That people seeking asylum can access legal services, that children should not be put in jail before they’re 14, and that we look at people as whole human beings and support them in a country as lucky as Australia.
Jeremy Birt: And do you think that’s changed over time? Are we getting better at it?
Tania Jackson Vaughan: No, I don’t think so. History has a tendency to repeat itself. Social media has created echo chambers, and we’ve lost nuance. People speaking out about injustices—like calling out genocide—can be wrongly labelled. Voices of protest are being clamped down on, and that’s concerning.
Jeremy Birt: Is that a personal responsibility or more of a collective one?
Tania Jackson Vaughan: It’s both. Systems change matters, but individual actions play a role. I learned in politics that writing to your local MP really does matter. People can be more powerful than they realise.
Jeremy Birt: It’s about amplifying silenced voices too, right?
Tania Jackson Vaughan: Exactly. Amnesty International, MSF, others—they’re doing critical work. But now, they're targets. The head of MSF France recently highlighted how humanitarian groups are under attack. MSF hospitals have been bombed. Just last week, 15 paramedics were killed by the Israeli Defence Force. The evidence shows it was a deliberate act. These are war crimes, and it’s vital we expose them, even at personal risk.
Jeremy Birt: So how do we, as everyday people, respond?
Tania Jackson Vaughan: Be curious. Don’t turn away. Learn, engage, speak out, volunteer, donate. You can write to politicians, show up at protests, or support aligned organisations. Everyone has something to give.
Jeremy Birt: And for those coming from corporate careers—it can be a big leap into purpose-led work. How do they start?
Tania Jackson Vaughan: Start with your values. What matters to you? Then ask: what value can I bring? Volunteers need support too—it’s not just about being willing, it's about being useful. Organisations do best when they have structured, resourced volunteer programs that meet real needs—not just busywork.
Jeremy Birt: What about corporate volunteering and partnerships?
Tania Jackson Vaughan: They can be brilliant—if genuine. At RACS, we had about 10 top-tier law firms providing pro bono work. That gave their young lawyers a sense of purpose and allowed us to run high-impact legal programs we couldn’t fund ourselves. The best partnerships are values-aligned and reciprocal.
Jeremy Birt: But there’s scepticism too—performative purpose, like greenwashing.
Tania Jackson Vaughan: Yes, and not-for-profits feel it. Especially with board roles. You want directors who are committed, not those looking to pad their CV. I've seen boards where half the members were disengaged, and the CEO was left to struggle alone. It’s disheartening and damaging.
Jeremy Birt: How do you choose between skill and passion when recruiting?
Tania Jackson Vaughan: Ideally, you want both. Values alignment is essential. You need a proper position description, good recruitment channels (like EthicalJobs, Pro Bono), and a robust induction process. Without it, you risk a disconnect—and that impacts staff morale and service delivery.
Jeremy Birt: What were your most rewarding moments in the sector?
Tania Jackson Vaughan: At RACS, after the funding cut, we raised $10 million. Grew from 9 to 40 staff. Helped 5,000 people—including 150 unaccompanied children on Christmas Island. We stopped them being sent to Nauru. Some are now thriving adults—one’s in university. That’s legacy work.
Jeremy Birt: But it must’ve taken a toll?
Tania Jackson Vaughan: Huge. We were faxing legal documents 24/7. The pressure never let up. They cut funding for interpreters, then changed the laws again. It was relentless. But what kept us going was the extraordinary people—the lawyers, the volunteers, the community.
Jeremy Birt: Sounds like an incredible sense of solidarity.
Tania Jackson Vaughan: It was. My local school gave us space on weekends. Volunteers came in droves. It reminded me: even amid cruelty, you see humanity at its best. That’s what made it joyful.
Jeremy Birt: But to stay in it, you need to look after yourself too.
Tania Jackson Vaughan: Absolutely. Wellbeing is critical. You need to manage cortisol and stress. Reflect on achievements daily, practice mindfulness, go for walks, have fun with colleagues. Organisations need to take staff wellbeing seriously.
Jeremy Birt: Get support early, not when you’ve already burned out.
Tania Jackson Vaughan: Exactly. I had coaching, joined a leadership group—it was invaluable. We all need safe spaces to talk and listen.
Jeremy Birt: Tania, thank you so much. Your work, your insight—it’s incredibly powerful.
And thanks to everyone for joining us on The Strategy Sessions from The Strategy Factory. If you found this conversation valuable, please like, share, and subscribe. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we continue to explore the minds and methods of exceptional leaders across industries.