People First Session

People first: creating workplaces for people to thrive

Social performance goes further than avoiding harm. It's about creating the conditions for people to thrive and proving it.

7 Oct 2026, 1.00PM - 2.00PM AEDT
Business and government
Open to the public
Online

What does a workplace look like when people don't just get by, but genuinely thrive? Join us to find out.

Rebecca Green, Head of Transformation and Advocacy at Social Traders, and guest speaker Melissa Raby, Head of Social Impact at John Holland, will unpack:

  • how social impact enhances employee value proposition
  • what it means to have a strong culture that focuses on wellbeing and safety
  • why investing in social enterprises is a way to pay it forward and a multiplying effect of social value, and
  • how Social Traders reporting capability and social enterprise certification framework provides trusted verification for governance obligations.

Social performance goes further than avoiding harm. It's about creating the conditions for people to thrive and proving it. 

What you'll learn

This session gives a practical grounding in the people side of social performance. Discover how to build a workplace where people feel valued, included and connected to purpose, and why that goes beyond compliance.

You'll hear how working with certified social enterprises helps organisations deliver on their people pillar, connecting business goals with better futures for people and communities. Understand why certification matters, as social washing comes under more scrutiny.

Get clarity on reporting and evidence: why trusted data and independent verification are essential to reporting governance, and how to back up the claims your organisation makes.

Who should attend

This session is for business professionals responsible for social performance, workforce strategy, supplier diversity and reporting in their organisation. 

It's especially relevant for people working in social impact, procurement, people and culture, ESG and sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and corporate affairs, and for leaders shaping their organisation's social procurement and social performance strategy.

Secure your place today

Meet the speakers

Mel Raby John Holland

Melissa Raby

John Holland

Mel Raby is Head of Social Impact at John Holland, where she leads strategies that deliver lasting benefits for communities. She works closely with social benefit suppliers, community organisations, industry partners and government clients to turn goals into practical outcomes. With extensive experience in social procurement and inclusion, Mel is passionate about creating opportunities for priority cohorts, increasing workforce diversity and delivering measurable social impact through a hands on, solutions focused approach.

Rebecca Green

Rebecca Green

Head of Transformation and Advocacy

Rebecca Green has more than 15 years' experience helping businesses embed positive social, environmental and cultural outcomes into their core operations. She specialises in stakeholder engagement, behaviour change and guiding organisations through meaningful transformation to build lasting impact. Rebecca's current focus is shifting perceptions of value and supporting business as a force for good.

About John Holland

John Holland, Australia and New Zealand’s leading end-to-end integrated infrastructure, building, rail and multi-modal transport company, is guided by Global Mandatory Requirements, which are evidence-based, and developed with the input of their people. In their recent engagement survey, 92% of employees said they believe John Holland is truly committed to health and safety of its people.

About Social Traders

For nearly 20 years, Social Traders is the industry body for social enterprise and social performance. We’ve been supporting 300+ organisations to measure and report on their social performance with confidence since 2018. Social Traders is also Australia’s certifier of over 750 social enterprises.