We’re excited to announce that our MC for the Social Enterprise Jobs Summit will be Mikhara Ramsing.
Mikhara is a passionate social entrepreneur who has founded impact-driven organisations including Capyble, Miks Chai, S&K Consulting, and Ethnic LGBT+. She’s been recognised through awards such as the Australia-ASEAN Emerging Leader and NSW Young Achiever of the Year.
Mikhara’s work spans mental health advocacy, government consulting, LGBTIQ+ support for culturally diverse communities, and rural outreach, including a 70,000 km journey in an eco tiny home to help prevent youth suicide.
Her grandfather (nana in Hindi) is the biggest inspiration of her life. A social entrepreneur before the phrase came to be, he changed hundreds of lives by raising capital and buying machinery to start the first drycleaning business for non-white people in apartheid South Africa.
In the lead up to the summit in June, we sat down with Mikhara to ask her five questions about life and work.
1. What advice do you have for social entrepreneurs on spotting a niche in the market in 2025?
Start with something that makes you angry or keeps you up at night. Identify a problem you care deeply about solving. This passion will give you the willpower to take forward your idea and navigate the inevitable challenges ahead.
2. You’re a runner – how does this frame your approach to life and work?
I started running with a group of women for CanToo, to raise money for cancer research – I loved hearing their stories. As a business owner, it’s tempting to wake up and jump on emails – running frames my day differently. I live in a country town and I run with my Kelpie dog, spotting a magpie family, or the morning light on a wattle tree. Running my first marathon a year ago gave me some great insights for social entrepreneurs. If you sprint, you get sick. If you build up your strength, you get better over time.
3. You’re a storyteller and a believer in the power of storytelling – how can social enterprises tell great stories to grow their impact?
We are all storytellers and story listeners. Don’t be afraid to tell people about the good you are doing in the world. If your story is not resonating, ask yourself how your work helps people, and how you can help them more.
4. What are your top three tips for a thriving social enterprise?
Give to self. You can’t give from an empty cup. Keep your daily rituals and fill your cup.
Get comfortable with selling. There is a natural tension around solving problems while making money, but this is where we can have the biggest impact.
Accept that you’re going to have setbacks along the way. Visualise where you want to be, surround yourself with pictures of the things that matter to you.
5. What excites you most about jobs-focused social enterprise in Australia right now?
A Harvard study found that connection is the key to happiness across all ages. And this work does that so well – it connects people while creating meaning and growth through access to meaningful work. I’m excited about this, and our potential to grow it!
The Social Enterprise Jobs Summit in Melbourne on 11-12 June is a big moment to come together and help build a future where everyone has access to meaningful work.
If you haven’t already, get your tickets to the summit here.
