Katie Acheson

Katie Acheson takes great joy from having the opportunity to work for young people, advocating on issues they care about, and being part of the development and implementation of programs that deliver better outcomes for young people's mental health. She is a prominent figure in the youth sector, serving as the Executive Manager of Policy and Advocacy for Arafmi, Co-founder of Numbers and People Synergy, and formerly holding key positions such as CEO of Youth Action and Chair of the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition.

Her contributions have been recognised through various accolades, including being the lead youth lived experience consultant for the United Nations World Youth Report 2022, earning the title of Financial Review's Woman of Influence in 2019, and serving as an Economic Forum Summit Leader in 2015. Impact 25 also acknowledged her as an influential person in the Social Sector in 2015. Moreover, she played a pivotal role as the Australian Youth Expert for the Commonwealth Youth Development Index in 2016 and 2020.

Katie's expertise is complemented by her academic background, holding a Masters of International Development and a Bachelor of Social Work. Her deep understanding of the issues faced by children and young people, coupled with extensive experience in the community sector and collaborations with various levels of government and international development organisations, equips her to develop targeted solutions that cater to the specific needs of young Australians.

Passionate about empowering young individuals and their lived experience leadership in decision-making, Katie Acheson's work has made a significant impact on the lives of children and young people. Through her unwavering commitment, she continues to pave the way for a brighter and more inclusive future for the youth, both locally and globally.