Indu Balachandran

2021 Cohort

Pronouns: she/her

Indu’s work involves supporting for-purpose organisations and movements through strategy and governance expertise, within government, social and commercial institutions, and civic society.

Indu has led work in strategy, program design and delivery, and governance in the social-purpose sector for over 15 years. She is a Global Atlantic Fellow in Social Equity. Her advisory roles include the Board of Western Sydney University’s Institute of Culture and Society, and Kuring-Gai Council's Multicultural Advisory Committee. Her prior leadership roles were at the Aboriginal Housing Office (NSW Government), the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence and Social Ventures Australia. Indu plays the veena and is a cultural producer interested in placemaking, and relationality between migrant and First Nations peoples. Indu was a recipient of the UTS Human Rights Award for Reconciliation.

Indu brings a mix of commercial experience, social equity work, and community engagement knowledge. She holds a Master of Social Change Leadership, Master of Economics (Social Science, by research) and Bachelor of Business (Honours). Indu is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, an accredited practitioner with Social Value International, and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

Social change work

Indu is working on various initiatives. Her work in migrant-First Nations relations takes shape through her cultural production as a musician, community organising and organisational engagement. Her other work includes social enterprise development in the circular economy and advocating for multicultural vibrancy and voice. Intitiatives through the global fellowship include examining South Asian narratives as a tool for transformation, and models for equitable knowledge production.