Starting as a Social Worker, Liz has worked as a practitioner, service manager, program director and senior executive in the Australian and NSW Governments. She has managed complex programs; led major service reforms and advised Ministers and Boards in a range of key policy areas.
After working in Government, Liz transitioned to management consulting, establishing the inaugural national Health, Ageing and Human Services Practice in Australia for KPMG. From there she went on to lead Human Services globally and was KPMG’s Global Sector Lead for Government. Her final role with KPMG was as the Global Industry lead for Healthcare, Government and Infrastructure.
Before establishing ForsythClement, and after her time at KPMG, Liz worked with APM – a global human services provider.
Liz is frequently sought after as a thought leader, presenter and a provocateur, providing a fresh point of view to address some of the most complex challenges our communities face.
“I really enjoy coming to understand the challenges that need to be solved for our clients. I often find solutions can be found to complex issues if you think laterally, leverage your knowledge and experience from other sectors and industries, break the issue down into smaller parts and maintain a focus on the desired end point.”
The Collaborative
ForsythClement is based in Australia with staff from across the globe.
At the core of ForsythClement is the Collaborative.
The Collaborative leverages the unique skills and experiences that each individual adviser brings with the intent of delivering the desired results.
The synergy of diverse talent that forms the Collaborative is built on a culture of excellence and mutual respect, where every team member’s contribution is valued and informs the solutions we design.
The Collaborative are deeply experienced advisors who have come together to work on impactful projects making a difference to the individuals, families and communities they serve.
With a passionate commitment to supporting individuals to achieve their potential ForsythClement is comprised of:
Mitch
Malone
Expertise in social impact assessment, economics, business case development and feasibility studies
As a consultant and economist, Mitch brings experience across the breadth of socio-economic advisory services and is a champion of new thinking and approaches in order to better equip organisations to navigate purpose, value and impact.
Mitch has broad and extensive experience across a range of sectors, having worked with various for-purpose and for-profit clients covering business cases and broader investment decision making exercises, economic analysis, social or public impact analyses, demographic assessment and demand modelling. Mitch also has specific expertise in sport, major venues and events, health and human services, infrastructure and broader public sector advisory.
I believe there is significant space for innovation beyond the current leading practice.”
Lisa
Gahan
Expertise in research, social policy development and service design
Lisa has over 23 years’ experience consulting with a focus on social services and international development. She has worked in the UK and US, and for the last 12 years, has focused on work in Africa and the Middle East. Her clients include the United Nations and bi-lateral aid agencies, all spheres of government, and global and local not-for-profits.
Lisa is pragmatic, creative, willing to challenge constructively enabling new ideas and solutions to come into play that can move an issue forward. She works side-by-side with clients and builds long-lasting relationships of trust, mutual respect and support.
As Lisa says, “I’m here to make them successful because it’s their success, not mine, that creates community and national social change”.
Lisa’s work encompasses strategy and policy development, operational excellence and monitoring and evaluation projects across all aspects of social services and social development, including early childhood development, child protection, gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health and rights, children and young people with disability and special/additional education needs, funding for social services, and non-profit sector development.
She is an advocate for social justice and systems thinking approaches believing disadvantage, inequality and violence are created by the systems around us and to solve these we need to take a systems approach to address the wicked problems we encounter.
Lisa is currently a doctoral research candidate developing a systemic model to achieving reproductive justice for women and girls in South Africa, as fundamental requirement for women’s and children’s rights and socio-economic development.
I believe in doing things the right way and doing them well”.
Raj
Bhat
Expertise in social infrastructure, financing solutions and treasury
Raj has over 28 years industry experience across banking, consulting and corporate roles. Raj commenced his career in India prior to relocating to Australia in 1999.
As a Partner at KPMG, he was integral to establishing the capital markets advisory business with a focus on building out social infrastructure and financial services solutions across Australia and New Zealand. His clients have included government, statutory authorities, not for profit and corporates across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.
Raj left KPMG in 2018 for an industry-based role prior to returning to consulting in 2022. Raj is focused on delivering unique and tailored capital, treasury, and operational solutions to clients.
A key part of his work is to partner and collaborate with key subject matter experts across various functions to unlock value in social infrastructure. Raj is passionate about bringing his banking and structuring skills to drive change in the provision of much needed social infrastructure – especially in the supply of social and affordable housing.
Raj invests significant time with future industry leaders through sharing his experience and expertise in the areas of banking, capital market and treasury operations. This forms an integral part of his engagement with his clients and their team members.
With increased focus on the social and affordable housing sector from governments and investor groups, there is a requirement to think about managing capital differently in the future and developing strategies that would capitalise on this tailwind.
I think I have found my purpose in this work, and I love finding alternative solutions to the financing challenges that organisations must confront ….”
Kim
Hawthorne
Expertise in data, survey design, evaluation and service development
Kim uses his professional experience to support purpose driven organisations do good, better.
Kim has considerable experience in program evaluation, strategic reviews, statistical analyses, stakeholder consultation, workshop facilitation, survey design, business case development and data collection over many years working in Commonwealth government, state government and through his work at “Big 4” professional services firms.
Kim has led analysis of demographic, population health, hospital, disability, aged care and many other data sets. Kim’s key capability is in providing clear insights, implications, and action plans for leadership teams from his analyses.
In undertaking projects Kim builds great teams and great client relationships. Most recently Kim built a new government consulting team that won work in new policy domains (e.g. homelessness), with new clients (e.g. mental health funder) and with bespoke project methodologies.
In building great client relationships Kim always stays across the detail of projects. Kim keeps project teams, leaders and managers informed of progress and never “surprises” the client. This involves sharing early insights, testing implications and pulling together clear and pragmatic recommendations.
For me, its all about helping my client’s solve complex issues – by discovering practical solutions that allow them to move forward confidently. I know the work they do is challenging and so I like to stay connected so I can help iron out any unexpected issues if they emerge.”