For more than twenty years, Nicola Forrest AO has led transformative advocacy and investments to empower communities to grow from settings of disadvantage into thriving places where children, women and families can meet their full potential.
As co-founder of Minderoo Foundation – one of Australasia’s largest philanthropic organisations – and owner and director of Tattarang, one of Australia’s largest private investment groups, Nicola believes philanthropy and business can create positive and sustainable social change and opportunities for all Australians.
Alongside her business leadership, Nicola has been at the forefront of philanthropic innovation through Minderoo Foundation and Coaxial. Both were founded to dismantle barriers and expand opportunity for all Australians, particularly young children, families, women and communities facing adversity.
Nicola’s advocacy includes Minderoo’s Thrive By Five campaign for a high-quality, accessible early learning system for all Australian children. She has also championed paid parental leave, and community-led, place-based models that deliver tangible support for children, families and communities though the early years partnership with the Western Australian government.
Coaxial is Nicola’s independent, impact-focused entity, established in 2023 to fill gaps between business and philanthropy. Coaxial connects capital, changemakers and communities to accelerate systemic change through its ventures and foundation arms. Coaxial’s work complements Minderoo and Tattarang while maintaining the agility to pursue collaborative new interventions.
As a signatory to the Giving Pledge, Nicola has committed to transferring most of her wealth during her lifetime to initiatives that deliver measurable social impact. In 2019, Nicola was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service through philanthropic support for education and the arts, to business and to the community.
