About Us

About Us

How we work


XSPI take a unique approach. We provide a platform and thought partnership aimed at establishing and enhancing partnerships, identifying and developing innovative projects, and bringing together stakeholders from multiple sectors to promote shared values and common goals in support of country development plans and the SDGs. The XSPI operating model takes a “5C” approach, serving as a Catalyst, Convenor, Collaborator, Co-creator and/or Coalition builder. XSPI does not fund or implement and primarily provides services and access to the XSPI network at zero cost.

Projects

XSPI identifies opportunities and supports the development of proof-of-concept projects that represent cross-sector collaboration and demonstrate the value of new collaborative models for funding, implementing and sustaining international development objectives. 

XSPI defines a project as an effort supporting any of the 17 SDGs, with partners from at least 2 sectors (ideally minimum 3 sectors, including funders/supporters).

Partnerships

XSPI establishes long-term strategic partnerships that demonstrate a shared value for collaboration across sectors and aim to broaden the XSPI network to enhance support for development. 

Through Strategic Partnerships, XSPI works to identify opportunities for specific, implementable projects, opportunities to evolve projects into programs at scale, connect to new partners and project collaborators, and to amplify XSPI’s thought leadership and vision. 

Influence

XSPI serves as an advocate for cross-sector partnership to amplify and accelerate the impact of Australia’s international development work.

XSPI aims to influence the field through demonstrated project impact, conducting research, promoting innovation and value for money, and engaging the next generation of leaders across sectors.  

Projects

XSPI identifies opportunities and supports the development of proof-of-concept projects that represent cross-sector collaboration and demonstrate the value of new collaborative models for funding, implementing and sustaining international development objectives. 

XSPI defines a project as an effort supporting any of the 17 SDGs, with partners from at least 2 sectors (ideally minimum 3 sectors, including funders/supporters).

Partnerships

XSPI establishes long-term strategic partnerships that demonstrate a shared value for collaboration across sectors and aim to broaden the XSPI network to enhance support for development. 

Through Strategic Partnerships, XSPI works to identify opportunities for specific, implementable projects, opportunities to evolve projects into programs at scale, connect to new partners and project collaborators, and to amplify XSPI’s thought leadership and vision. 

Influence

XSPI serves as an advocate for cross-sector partnership to amplify and accelerate the impact of Australia’s international development work.

XSPI aims to influence the field through demonstrated project impact, conducting research, promoting innovation and value for money, and engaging the next generation of leaders across sectors.  

Our History


In July 2019, Melbourne Business School, ACFID and Dr. Dan Evans hosted an Executive Roundtable of 17 senior leaders focused on International Development and the need for new working models, specfically identifying a need for new and better partnerships across different sectors.

The Roundtable resolved to create a taskforce to define and qualify options for a structured approach to strengthen cross-sector partnerships, focusing on the five stakeholder sectors of business, government, NGO/non-profits, philanthropy/private capital, and academia/health research. 

Dr. Dan Evans established XSPI in July 2020 as an independent, volunteer-based initiative with the vision to enhance cross-sector development partnerships in three priority geographies: Bangladesh, Indonesia and PNG, representing South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Country-specific Working Groups of knowledgeable experts were created to identify project and strategic partnership opportunities.


A Unique Approach


XSPI is a platform for connection, idea generation, collaboration and innovation. We connect development stakeholders and communities with new partners, relevant information and key data, and innovative approaches.

We serve as a resource for opportunities to co-create forward-thinking and impactful development approaches. We are not a funder, fundraiser, or implementer.

We are independent and comprised of a group of impatient optimists with decades of diverse experiences in the international development realm.

Our Leadership Team

XSPI STEERING COMMITTEE

XSPI ADVISORY COUNCIL

Robert Dunn (Chair)

BUSINESS
Dr. Ana Andrews (Pitt Sherry), Ron Brew, Dr. Dan Evans (ex-WMC, ex-Accenture), Laiza Garcia (ERS), , Julianne Rose (Social Economy Group), Geoff Scahill (Abt Associates), Phil Turtle (Former Chair, Australia Indonesia Business Council)

GOVERNMENT
Claire Moore (Former QLD Senator), Andrew Parker (NSW Government), Josephine Mann (XSPI CEO)

PHILANTHROPY & PRIVATE CAPITAL
Julie Rosenburg (AIDN), Farhad Reza (Build Bangladesh Impact Enterprise), Shane Nichols (Good Return)

ACADEMIA, HEALTH & MEDICAL RESEARCH
Brendan Allen (Burnet Institute), Prof. Glenn Hoetker (MBS)

NGO & NOT-FOR-PROFIT
Jessica Carter, Simon Field, Anthea Ingram (Save the Children)

XSPI EXPERT NETWORK

BUSINESS
Alan Atwell, Michael Conan-Davies, Dr. Tim Grice, Ray Hughes-Odgers, Ben Giles, Nick Goryl, Ollie Iacopi, Mark Ingram, Karen James, Muchtazar (Nickel Industries Ltd.)Gavin Murray, Akutina Novriani, Joseph Palimi, Jeff Parker, Ian Porter, Atom Rahman, Kristina Ringwood, Dr. Bruce Rohrlach, Nia Sarinastiti, Dr. Tim Siegenbeek van Heukelom, Alex Schmidt, Keith Schulstad,
Tori Stuckey, Havini Vira

GOVERNMENT
Brian Borgohna, Jeff Bost, Kevin Evans, Matthew Kanua, Margaret Pearce

NGO & NOT-FOR-PROFIT
Tahina Booth, Lily B’Soer, Paul Brown, Elizabeth Cox, Ellya Dewi, Arvin Dwiarraham, Rejwana Farha, Steve Goudswaard, Yanny Guman, Ben Heyward, Dr. Michelle Imison, Yangama Jokwiro, Phillie Julai, Joseph Kodamanchaly, Rebecca Lannin, Ruth Molloy, Dr. Jackie Pomeroy, Malcolm Wood, Dr. Abner Yalu, Marjike Zwolenski-Frantzen

ACADEMIA, HEALTH & MEDICAL RESEARCH
Dr. Mike Bourke, Dr. Russ Corlette, Dr. Shaun Gessler, Dr. Nawshad Haque, Ross Hutton, Dr. Brett Inder, Dr. Jenny Kerrison, Dr. Dylan Male, Dr. Russ Stephenson, Grace Wangge, Nira Rahman, Paul Zbrowski

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