Caitlyn Georgeson

Can you tell us how you became a Pinnacle Foundation board member?

I was appointed to The Pinnacle Foundation board in April 2023, almost 10 years after I first became involved with Pinnacle. I was lucky enough to be supported by Pinnacle as a scholarship recipient from 2014 to 2017 while studying my undergraduate Law and Arts degrees at the University of Adelaide. I was paired with a wonderful mentor during my years as a scholar — Judge Charlotte Kelly of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, who is now also an Ambassador for the Pinnacle Foundation. I began volunteering for Pinnacle in 2020 as the inaugural national alumni manager and as a member of the Victorian Committee, before being appointed as chair of the Victorian Committee in 2022. I’m delighted to continue my journey with The Pinnacle Foundation as its first (but certainly not its last!) alumnus board member.

What does this appointment mean to you? Why was joining the Pinnacle board important to you?

As a former Pinnacle scholar, I understand first-hand how life changing a Pinnacle Foundation scholarship can be. It is that understanding that has compelled me to give back to the Foundation, and it’s been a privilege to contribute to and learn from the Foundation’s network in various volunteer capacities since 2020. I’m thrilled to now have the opportunity to work with a very dedicated board to help shape the future of the Foundation.

What are some of the impacts you want to have during your time as a member of the board? What do you envision for the future of Pinnacle?

As an alumnus and long-term member of the Pinnacle community, I am especially keen to share with the board the experiences and perspectives of our scholars and alumni. The Pinnacle Foundation has gone through incredible growth since its inception in 2010, when it supported its first two scholars. Now a strong national charity, Pinnacle is supporting 86 multi-year scholarships in 2023 and is on track to support 100 multi-year scholarships in 2024. I’m excited to work with the board to ensure our Pinnacle scholars continue to reflect the enormous intersectional diversity, talent and potential of young LGBTQIA+ Australians. As our Pinnacle community grows and our alumni become leaders, change agents and advocates in their fields and communities, so too will our impact as a Foundation grow — leading to a richer, more diverse and inclusive Australia, with more visible LGBTQIA+ role models. It’s such a privilege to be able to contribute as a board member to Pinnacle’s growing impacts, and I look forward to making the most out of my time on the board.

Caitlyn Georgeson

Do you have any questions?

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