Meet the team
Catherine
Brooks
CEO and Founder
A Visionary Leader in Philanthropy
Catherine Brooks is a recognised leader in the non-profit and philanthropic sectors. With over two decades of experience, she has built a reputation for empowering leaders, transforming organisations, and driving measurable impact.
As the CEO and Founder of Equitable Philanthropy, Catherine combines her strategic expertise with a deep passion for creating change. Her work spans a wide range of sectors, including education, health, disability, arts, social services and community development, giving her unparalleled insight into the challenges and opportunities facing non-profits and funders today.
Catherine’s Expertise:
Fundraising Mastery
Catherine has personally guided organisations in developing pitches that secured multi-million-dollar partnerships, including enduring long-term collaborations with major philanthropic foundations.
Leadership Development
A sought-after mentor and coach, Catherine equips CEOs, Chairs, and Boards with the skills and confidence to pitch with clarity and confidence and secure long term partnerships for success.
Philanthropic Insight
As a donor and advocate, Catherine brings a unique dual perspective, understanding the priorities and expectations of both funders and recipients.
Katelyn Persich
Senior Advisor
Katelyn is an admitted lawyer of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, holding a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce, and brings more than five years of advisory experience from Deloitte Australia. Working across the firm's Strategy, Risk & Transactions and Tax & Legal business units, she led engagements for a broad range of clients, from global and Australian businesses to government and not-for-profit organisations. She managed complex work streams, built trusted relationships with client leadership teams, and delivered strategic recommendations to senior executives.
Katelyn combines this advisory background with board-level experience in philanthropy. She was selected to the Board of The Deloitte Foundation as Young Voice Director, representing the perspectives of the firm's junior staff and contributing to the Foundation's strategic direction and governance. She also chaired the Foundation's Wishing Well Committee and led an evaluation of its not-for-profit consulting program.
In addition, she held leadership roles with the United Nations Association of Australia Young Professionals Network, first as Co-Vice President and Secretary of the Western Australian chapter and then on the National Executive, leading programs on global development, human rights and sustainability.
Katelyn's strength lies in building strong relationships with client teams, and in giving clear, evidence-based advice. She is committed to helping charities strengthen their strategy and governance, and to facilitating the redistribution of wealth through effective philanthropy.
Olivia Robertson
Advisor – Client & Project Engagement
Olivia holds a Bachelor of Science in Immunology and brings a unique blend of scientific insight and commercial experience to Equitable Philanthropy. Olivia has worked at a global pharmaceutical company across general medicine and dental portfolios, gaining experience in sales, brand strategy, and omnichannel marketing.
Olivia channels this experience into helping charities and funders connect, collaborate, and maximise impact. Her strength lies in understanding the needs of stakeholders, coordinating projects with care, and supporting organisations to articulate their value and secure sustainable funding.
With a purpose-driven mindset, Olivia is passionate about empowering organisations to grow their impact while helping funders create giving programs that deliver meaningful, lasting change.
Fiona Miller
Finance and Executive Coordinator
Fiona keeps Equitable Philanthropy running behind the scenes, coordinating the firm's finance and executive operations.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University with a major in Psychology, and brings an unusually varied background to the role. From soldier in the Army Reserve to customer service manager at Woolworths; from fifteen years as a full-time firefighter to yoga teacher. What connects them is a lifetime of service to others.
Fiona's principle is a simple one: people are important. It shapes how she approaches her work at Equitable Philanthropy, and it's central to the firm's people-focused culture.
Tim Irving
Advisor – Social Impact and Philanthropy
Tim holds a Juris Doctor and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne. Before joining Equitable Philanthropy, Tim worked in a family office that had international investments and ties.
Tim has extensively studied human rights law, bringing a deep understanding of ethical frameworks and systemic issues to his work. He has a strong global outlook, having lived in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Denmark.
Tim works closely with charities to strengthen their fundraising strategies, secure grant funding, and attract major gifts and investments. He also supports philanthropic funders to design and deliver effective giving programs.
Tim spearheads Equitable Philanthropy’s due diligence processes, helping funders give with confidence and clarity, while also identifying opportunities to build the capacity of the social sector.
With a values-led approach and strong analytical skills, Tim helps mission-driven organisations grow their impact.