How long have you been involved in international development, and what first inspired you to support the sector?

DECJUBA has been involved in international development for over a decade, driven by the ambitious, big-picture thinking of its Owner and Chair, Tania Austin. When it comes to philanthropy, she takes the same approach as she does in business—breaking big challenges down into achievable steps and tackling them head-on.

Tania has a deep connection with The Hunger Project and has always been drawn to its focus on long-term partnerships for systemic change. From her first visit to a village in Uganda, she saw the impact of community-led development firsthand. Returning later, she witnessed how people had moved from hunger to self-reliance in a way that was truly sustainable. That experience reinforced her belief in backing initiatives that create lasting change. Today, DECJUBA Foundation continues to support multi-year programs across Africa and India, staying committed to empowering communities for the long run.


Tania Austin with The Hunger Project team in Uganda.

What have been the biggest changes you have witnessed throughout your time in supporting international development, specifically in the context of giving as a business leader?

It’s been fantastic to see the rise in trust-based philanthropy, and increased recognition that local leaders are best placed to drive meaningful solutions, and also an increased willingness among funders to collaborate for greater impact. More broadly, we’ve seen a shift toward more thoughtful and respectful approaches to giving, and the need for long-term, sustainable support rather than short-term interventions.

Expectations around corporate philanthropy have also evolved. Businesses operating in global markets are increasingly expected and encouraged to give back to the communities in which they operate—not just as a moral obligation, but as a core part of responsible leadership. This creates deeper connections, a greater sense of purpose, and lasting change beyond financial contributions.

One of the biggest shifts we’ve seen is a growing willingness among business leaders to speak openly about their philanthropy. In the past, giving was often done quietly, but now there’s a recognition that sharing these stories can inspire others to get involved. More recently, Tania has embraced this approach, using her platform to advocate for high-impact, purposeful giving. By being transparent about her philanthropic journey, she hopes to encourage more business leaders to step up, think bigger, and invest in solutions that drive real, lasting change.


If you could see one change in the international development sector occur tomorrow, what would it be and why?

The simple answer is a significant increase in philanthropic giving to fill the gap left by recent catastrophic government cutbacks which have left millions more vulnerable people without critical support in areas like education, healthcare, and disaster relief.

Philanthropy has the power to step up—not just as a stopgap measure, but as a driving force for innovative, long-term solutions. More giving, especially unrestricted and trust-based funding, would empower organisations to respond rapidly to crises, invest in sustainable development, and create meaningful, lasting change where it’s needed most.

You can see how long-term stability in fragile or volatile regions really matters. It’s not just about short-term fixes—philanthropy needs to help people build stronger, more resilient communities. That means investing in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities so people have the tools to break cycles of poverty and handle challenges when they come. When communities are supported in the right way, there’s less risk of unrest and conflict. It all comes down to backing sustainable, locally led solutions that make a lasting difference.

For us, philanthropy is about creating real, lasting change by funding sustainable solutions that tackle the root causes of inequality, not just the symptoms. Supporting local leadership is a big part of that—when communities are given the resources and trust to lead, they become stronger, more secure, and better prepared for whatever the future brings.


AIDN’s ethos is “more” and “better” international giving from Australians. What does “more” or “better” international giving look like to you, particularly through a business lens?

I touched on the need for more giving in the previous question, but an equally important conversation is how we can be better at giving more effectively. At DECJUBA Foundation, we are constantly looking for ways to strengthen our partnerships with the organizations we support—because impactful giving is never just about money.

Over the past 12 months, our focus has been on building a true community with our partners, leading to positive outcomes in ways we never could have predicted.

Equally important to us is fostering a community of givers who collaborate for greater impact. And that means moving beyond just financial donations and embracing long-term partnerships built on trust, flexibility, and shared goals. It’s about listening to those on the ground, funding in a way that enables rather than dictates, and leveraging our networks to amplify impact. It also means embracing innovation and constantly challenging ourselves to think critically about how we give—whether through new funding models, collective action, or engaging businesses, customers, and individuals in meaningful ways.


Gill Whelan

Gill Whelan is the General Manager of DECJUBA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of leading fashion retailer, DECJUBA.  Working closely with DECJUBA Owner & Chair, Tania Austin, Gill is establishing and steering partnerships with local and international charity organisations with the aim of positively impacting 25 million lives by 2025.  Gill’s approach to philanthropy is shaped by previous senior fundraising roles in the not-for-profit sector, with a focus on funding to build capacity and longer term partnerships.