Naomi Steer is the Founding Director of UNHCR Australia. UNHCR raises funds to support international humanitarian work. We talk to Naomi about what lead her to UNHCR, the work that is done by her teams at ground level. Keep in mind, Naomi's team are the ones left behind when everyone else has left - they are incredibly brave humans. Naomi shares her experience in refugee camps and her thoughts on the Australian refugee program. There are over 82.4M people who are displaced in the world (UNCHR Global Stats 2020) and the number of people forcibly displaced around the world has doubled in the past decade and if this trend continues this number will hit 100M. The worlds worst affected is Syria with 13.5M displaced, Colombia has 8.3M, 80%  of those displaced in Afghanistan are women and children.  Displacement of humans is the cause of our time with conflict being the key reason why people are forced from their homes. The incredible work that the teams with UNHCR do needs your support. You can donate via the UNCHR website -www.unrefugees.org.auNaomi Steer is an incredible woman who has spent her life in service of others and all I can say is thank you to her and the UNCHR team. 

<div><br></div><div>Naomi Steer is the Founding Director of UNHCR Australia. UNHCR raises funds to support international humanitarian work. </div><div>We talk to Naomi about what lead her to UNHCR, the work that is done by her teams at ground level. Keep in mind, Naomi's team are the ones left behind when everyone else has left - they are incredibly brave humans. </div><div>Naomi shares her experience in refugee camps and her thoughts on the Australian refugee program. </div><div>There are over 82.4M people who are displaced in the world (UNCHR Global Stats 2020) and the number of people forcibly displaced around the world has doubled in the past decade and if this trend continues this number will hit 100M. </div><div>The worlds worst affected is Syria with 13.5M displaced, Colombia has 8.3M, 80%  of those displaced in Afghanistan are women and children.  </div><div>Displacement of humans is the cause of our time with conflict being the key reason why people are forced from their homes. </div><div>The incredible work that the teams with UNHCR do needs your support. You can donate via the UNCHR website -www.unrefugees.org.au</div><div>Naomi Steer is an incredible woman who has spent her life in service of others and all I can say is thank you to her and the UNCHR team. </div>

Business In Colour is a podcast that inspires, empowers and mobilises leaders and allies to understand and act for greater diversity. Hear our stories so that you understand our journey, our experiences and our wants. We bring to you leaders who are doing incredible work in this space. We know this work is not easy, we know the challenges leaders face. Our hope is that by listening to the leaders on the Business In Colour podcast, you make a commitment to act for positive change. Our businesses must reflect the colours of the communities we work and live in.

Hosted by Div Pillay and Sadhana Smiles.

This show is for you if you are interested in:
Leadership in Business
Workplace diversity
Inclusion practices
Innovative inclusion
Creating change 
Equity in the workplace
High performing cultures 
People and customer diversity and inclusion
Culturally diverse leadership

Get in contact with Div & Sadhana via LinkedIn 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/divpillay/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/

<p>Business In Colour is a podcast that inspires, empowers and mobilises leaders and allies to understand and act for greater diversity. Hear our stories so that you understand our journey, our experiences and our wants. We bring to you leaders who are doing incredible work in this space. We know this work is not easy, we know the challenges leaders face. Our hope is that by listening to the leaders on the Business In Colour podcast, you make a commitment to act for positive change. Our businesses must reflect the colours of the communities we work and live in.</p>
<p>Hosted by Div Pillay and Sadhana Smiles.</p>
<p>This show is for you if you are interested in:</p>
<ul>
<li>Leadership in Business</li>
<li>Workplace diversity</li>
<li>Inclusion practices</li>
<li>Innovative inclusion</li>
<li>Creating change </li>
<li>Equity in the workplace</li>
<li>High performing cultures </li>
<li>People and customer diversity and inclusion</li>
<li>Culturally diverse leadership</li>
</ul>
<p>Get in contact with Div &amp; Sadhana via LinkedIn </p>
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/divpillay/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/divpillay/</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/</a> </p>

Providing inspiration to lead conversations and actions for diversity in your business

Business In Colour

Business In Colour is a podcast that inspires, empowers and mobilises leaders and allies to understand and act for greater diversity. Hear our stories so that you understand our journey, our experiences and our wants. We bring to you leaders who are doing incredible work in this space. We know this work is not easy, we know the challenges leaders face. Our hope is that by listening to the leaders on the Business In Colour podcast, you make a commitment to act for positive change. Our businesses must reflect the colours of the communities we work and live in.

Hosted by Div Pillay and Sadhana Smiles.

This show is for you if you are interested in:
Leadership in Business
Workplace diversity
Inclusion practices
Innovative inclusion
Creating change 
Equity in the workplace
High performing cultures 
People and customer diversity and inclusion
Culturally diverse leadership

Get in contact with Div & Sadhana via LinkedIn 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/divpillay/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/

-- 

This is a Guide Your Light Network Production | Podcasts with Purpose

www.guideyourlightnetwork.com

<p>Business In Colour is a podcast that inspires, empowers and mobilises leaders and allies to understand and act for greater diversity. Hear our stories so that you understand our journey, our experiences and our wants. We bring to you leaders who are doing incredible work in this space. We know this work is not easy, we know the challenges leaders face. Our hope is that by listening to the leaders on the Business In Colour podcast, you make a commitment to act for positive change. Our businesses must reflect the colours of the communities we work and live in.</p>
<p>Hosted by Div Pillay and Sadhana Smiles.</p>
<p>This show is for you if you are interested in:</p>
<ul>
<li>Leadership in Business</li>
<li>Workplace diversity</li>
<li>Inclusion practices</li>
<li>Innovative inclusion</li>
<li>Creating change </li>
<li>Equity in the workplace</li>
<li>High performing cultures </li>
<li>People and customer diversity and inclusion</li>
<li>Culturally diverse leadership</li>
</ul>
<p>Get in contact with Div &amp; Sadhana via LinkedIn </p>
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/divpillay/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/divpillay/</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/</a> </p>
<p>-- </p>
<p>This is a Guide Your Light Network Production | Podcasts with Purpose</p>
<p><a href="http://www.guideyourlightnetwork.com">www.guideyourlightnetwork.com</a> </p>

Naomi Steer is the Founding Director of UNHCR Australia. UNHCR raises funds to support international humanitarian work....

Displacement is the cause of our time/Naomi Steer

In this episode of Business in Colour, I talk with Nyachan Nyak — the visionary founder and CEO of the Nas Recovery Centre, and a purpose-led leader transforming mental health and substance use support for African communities through culturally tailored care and lived experience leadership.

Nyachan holds a Master’s degree in mental health and a bachelor’s degree in Community Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs. She’s also a certified suicide prevention and intervention skills trainer, and advises government through multiple committees on evidence-based suicide prevention strategies.

But what makes Nyachan’s story unforgettable is how she tells it — with honesty, clarity, and joy. She arrived in Australia in 2002 at just 11 years old, after living in refugee camps, and she speaks powerfully about resilience, belonging, racism, and the strength of community — and why she’s committed to bringing people “home” through healing.

Nyachan takes us behind the scenes of the Nas Recovery Centre — from free counselling, justice programs for young people in custody, outreach work with Victoria Police, rehabilitation pathways, and collective healing sessions grounded in culture and dignity.

We are so grateful for her wisdom, and her reminder that in mental health, slowing down and listening well can change lives — and even generations.

If this conversation resonates with you, please share the episode, leave a review, and follow Business in Colour — it helps us bring more powerful stories like Nyachan’s to the communities who need them most.

<p>In this episode of <strong>Business in Colour</strong>, I talk with <strong>Nyachan Nyak</strong> &mdash; the visionary founder and CEO of the <strong>Nas Recovery Centre</strong>, and a purpose-led leader transforming mental health and substance use support for African communities through culturally tailored care and lived experience leadership.</p>
<p>Nyachan holds a Master&rsquo;s degree in mental health and a bachelor&rsquo;s degree in Community Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs. She&rsquo;s also a certified suicide prevention and intervention skills trainer, and advises government through multiple committees on evidence-based suicide prevention strategies.</p>
<p>But what makes Nyachan&rsquo;s story unforgettable is how she tells it &mdash; with honesty, clarity, and joy. She arrived in Australia in 2002 at just <strong>11 years old</strong>, after living in refugee camps, and she speaks powerfully about resilience, belonging, racism, and the strength of community &mdash; and why she&rsquo;s committed to bringing people &ldquo;home&rdquo; through healing.</p>
<p>Nyachan takes us behind the scenes of the Nas Recovery Centre &mdash; from free counselling, justice programs for young people in custody, outreach work with Victoria Police, rehabilitation pathways, and collective healing sessions grounded in culture and dignity.</p>
<p>We are so grateful for her wisdom, and her reminder that in mental health, <strong>slowing down and listening well can change lives &mdash; and even generations.</strong></p>
<p><strong>If this conversation resonates with you, please share the episode, leave a review, and follow Business in Colour &mdash; it helps us bring more powerful stories like Nyachan&rsquo;s to the communities who need them most.</strong></p>

EP 130  Finding Home & Healing/Nyachan Nyak

In this episode of Business in Colour we talk to Dr Ashna Basu who is a psychiatry advanced trainee in Sydney. She sits on the Board of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and is the Chair of the Young branch of the Medical Women’s International Association. Ashna has previous experience in management consulting and governance, and advocates for equity in health and society nationally and overseas. In 2024 she was invited by the President of the United Nations General Assembly to speak at the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York and in the same year was awarded the Ministry of Health’s Achievement in Health award at the NSW Young Achievers Awards.  Now you know why we had to have her on Business in Colour.

This episode is jam packed with gold both personally for people of colour, women and for employers. We talk about health system challenges, like supply, demand, access, resourcing and our often low societal will to change and advocacy for others in health. What sticks with us is Ashna’s analysis of women, especially ethnic women – how we are so often the care-givers, not the receivers of care; how women tolerate lots of pain across their life-time and how society reinforces how pain for women is normal. Some really poignant messages and calls to action right across this podcast – we hope you listen and make a list of areas to have a courageous conversation in your workplace. Please enjoy the trailblazer, change maker, Dr Ashna Basu.

<p>In this episode of Business in Colour we talk to Dr Ashna Basu who is a psychiatry advanced trainee in Sydney. She sits on the Board of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and is the Chair of the Young branch of the Medical Women&rsquo;s International Association. Ashna has previous experience in management consulting and governance, and advocates for equity in health and society nationally and overseas. In 2024 she was invited by the President of the United Nations General Assembly to speak at the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York and in the same year was awarded the Ministry of Health&rsquo;s Achievement in Health award at the NSW Young Achievers Awards. &nbsp;Now you know why we had to have her on Business in Colour.</p>
<p>This episode is jam packed with gold both personally for people of colour, women and for employers. We talk about health system challenges, like supply, demand, access, resourcing and our often low societal will to change and advocacy for others in health. What sticks with us is Ashna&rsquo;s analysis of women, especially ethnic women &ndash; how we are so often the care-givers, not the receivers of care; how women tolerate lots of pain across their life-time and how society reinforces how pain for women is normal. Some really poignant messages and calls to action right across this podcast &ndash; we hope you listen and make a list of areas to have a courageous conversation in your workplace. Please enjoy the trailblazer, change maker, Dr Ashna Basu.</p>

EP 129 Creating Health Equity in Systems/Dr Ashna Basu

In this episode of Business in Colour I talk to Donna DeZWart who is an accomplished leader with over 30 years of experience in consulting and the education sector, including 10 years as a CEO in the for-purpose sector.  Donna leads Fitted for Work that specifically focusses on the employability of women through its range of programs and welcomes into their safe spaces nationally all women, non-binary, and gender-diverse jobseekers. Under Donna’s leadership, Fitted for Work has built two successful social enterprises, which she talks to in this podcast.  In 2024 Fitted for Work was the winner of the Victorian Telstra Business Award – Accelerating Women and this is where I met amazing Donna in the National rounds, as a judge. In this podcast, Donna gives us a window into her personal story, and her professional journey – she shows us her social heart and commercial mind. She is incredible and so is Fitted for Work.

We both have a clear call to action from an economic perspective for businesses who should be looking to partner as part of their ESG or gender equity commitments – Did you know that a vulnerable woman can take up to 18 months to find her way back into employment - with Fitted For Work’s intervention, this can take just 77 days. Tell me you don’t want to align with that kind of measurable Impact. Please enjoy the purpose-lead - leader, dynamic, Donna De Zwart.

<p>In this episode of Business in Colour I talk to Donna DeZWart who is an accomplished leader with over 30 years of experience in consulting and the education sector, including 10 years as a CEO in the for-purpose sector.&nbsp; Donna leads Fitted for Work that specifically focusses on the employability of women through its range of programs and welcomes into their safe spaces nationally all women, non-binary, and gender-diverse jobseekers. Under Donna&rsquo;s leadership, Fitted for Work has built two successful social enterprises, which she talks to in this podcast. &nbsp;In 2024 Fitted for Work was the winner of the Victorian Telstra Business Award &ndash; Accelerating Women and this is where I met amazing Donna in the National rounds, as a judge. In this podcast, Donna gives us a window into her personal story, and her professional journey &ndash; she shows us her social heart and commercial mind. She is incredible and so is Fitted for Work.</p>
<p>We both have a clear call to action from an economic perspective for businesses who should be looking to partner as part of their ESG or gender equity commitments &ndash; Did you know that a vulnerable woman can take up to 18 months to find her way back into employment - with Fitted For Work&rsquo;s intervention, this can take just 77 days. Tell me you don&rsquo;t want to align with that kind of measurable Impact. Please enjoy the purpose-lead - leader, dynamic, Donna De Zwart.</p>

Displacement is the cause of our time/Naomi Steer

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