Our Purpose is

 

To empower people to live their best life.

 Our Vision is


To craft places and programs that give people the confidence, skills and connections to discover and create their best life.


Our Values are

 

Valuing People

We think and act in a way that places people first in everything we do.

 

Building Respect

We are committed to promoting respect, equity and justice for all peoples, in all of our efforts, at all levels

 

Including Everyone

We frame all we do through the belief that all people have the right to live their best life.

 

Empowering Success

We believe that when people are empowered, people succeed. When people succeed, we succeed.

 

Creating Partnerships

We partner with organizations, communities and people to see great things happen.

Our Team

Tamara Linden

Tamara Linden

General Manager – Operations

Tamara brings over a decade of experience in a variety of industries including consulting, consumer products, and financial services.  Tamara is adept at bringing together and coordinating multidisciplinary collaborators to achieve shared goals. She steps into new environments with a broad perspective and learns quickly. Tamara is a lover of new cultures and places, being an intrepid traveller who has also worked to deliver healthcare advancements in countries like Saudi Arabia and Vanuatu. Her professional passion is to be a part of Australia’s social sector to pursue meaningful change here and abroad. She is currently an Executive MBA candidate at University of Melbourne and is in Brisbane, Australia.

Marcella Hernandez

General Manager – Governance

Marcella is a self-motivated and experienced professional who has the ability to think strategically and systematically. She is passionate about innovation. With experience in the corporate and not-for-profit sectors, she serves on many boards and brings a strong emphasis for well researched governance and management. Marcella believes that success is engaging staff with improvement activities and working collaboratively to find better ways to achieve proposed outcomes and grow the business. Marcella is also the proud mum of three brilliant kids and is passionate about her home town in Sicily.

phil linden

Phil Linden

Chief Executive Officer

Phil’s experience in the not-for-profit sector emerges from his lived experience and life-long study. He brings a diverse background, bridging the corporate and the not-for-profit sectors, to enrich People First. His mission aligns with People First's goals: to empower communities through equitable funding and programs, drive positive change, promote sustainability, and create employment opportunities for economic restoration and community development.  He also serves as a Chaplain, helping soldiers with wellbeing in the Australian Army. Phil is also the proud father of one of our participants.

Matthew Hunt

General Manager – Engagement

Matthew is a seasoned leader of teams.  His life experience is hands on, and he has worked with building trades and not-for-profit sectors for over 25 years.  With experience in operations and engagement of key stakeholders, Matt is part of the team that built a significant commercial enterprise for social gain, using business modelling to achieve social outcomes. Together with his family, outside of his work, his passion is to travel and experiencing new things. Matt also serves as the Chair of CAP Australia, a not for profit organisation dedicated to empowering people to achieve freedom from financial distress.