Date: 6th December 2021
Ending Keynote: 4:30pm to 5:15pm
Venue: Melbourne Connect (Melbourne University)
Keynote: Cinnamon Evans (SENVIC & CERES) and Nick Verginis (SENVIC)

Cinnamon Evans

Chair & CEO

SENVIC & CERES
(respectively)

An experienced leader in the social enterprise and not-for-profit sectors. Skilled in group facilitation, holding space and public speaking. CEO of CERES Community Environment Park and Chair of SENVIC (Social Enterprise Network Victoria). Particularly passionate about the role of social enterprise within a broader movement for economic localisation and a transition to a regenerative society.

Social Enterprise Network Victoria (SENVIC) is an independent, practitioner-led community of change-makers. We exist to grow a thriving social enterprise sector in Victoria.

We collaborate with and support the development of the broader social enterprise ecosystem – mainstream business, government, charities, donors and sponsors – they all play a role.

We are a network of 700+ like-minded people including over 300 social enterprises across Victoria. We are optimistic, energetic and entrepreneurial.

We use resources effectively for impact.

We do business differently, and you can too.

Title: Creating climate, social and ecological hope through localism and social enterprise

Synopsis: Cinnamon will speak about how CERES is working to address climate, social and ecological crises by helping to build healthy ecosystems, resilient communities, regenerative food systems and local wellbeing economies. By creating a home, a school, a farm and a market, CERES engages their community in meaningful local action that creates a sense of belonging and participation, and helps bring about the changes we wish to see at each level of the broader system. Cinnamon will also speak about the fundamental importance of countering a prevailing story of separation with stories of connection and hope.

Nick will draw on the emergence of the social enterprise network, new connections with national and global movements to achieve SDGs and the recent launch of the Victorian Social Enterprise Strategy 2021-25 as a framework and accelerator for an inclusive, fair and sustainable society.