Create freedom
Our mission
Propelling creatives to defy the cycle of injustice, created by modern slavery.
What we do
xPropelr is a non-profit production house that connects creatives globally to collaborate on projects that raise awareness and funds to help end modern slavery.
The X in our name symbolises our ethos of collaboration
Our impact
Funds raised through our creative projects are directed to credible Impact Partners who work in the rescue, restoration, protection, and prevention of children trapped in modern slavery.
This year, we’re grateful to be supporting the life-changing work of our Impact Partner, International Justice Mission, the largest anti-slavery organisation on the planet.
COMPASSION
We believe in looking beyond ourselves and seeing the world through the eyes of those who don’t share our freedom. This drives us to create better.
BOLDNESS
We don’t let current circumstances dictate what the future holds. We believe in setting a vision and fearlessly taking a leap of faith, combined with strong planning to get us there.
INTEGRITY
We aim to follow through on what we say we’re going to do and to communicate and connect with authenticity.
Our values
COLLABORATION
We are committed to building strong partnerships, teamwork and supporting each other, as this unity for a common cause creates a force to be reckoned with.
INNOVATION
We want to hold ourselves to the highest of standards: constantly learning, adapting, asking if there is a better way to create and seeking new ways to solve a problem.
Our team
We’re a hybrid crew of innovators, creatives, former Google & BCG strategists, UN advisors, marketing, digital experience and financial management experts who are passionate to do our small part in seeing injustice end… even if just for one more life.
Tammy Ari
FOUNDER, CEO & CHAIR
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xPropelr was conceptualised by Tammy and inspired by her core belief that we can harness the creative economy for social impact.
Tammy is the CEO & Founder of Creative House, Veirtu. Prior to founding both Veirtu and xPropelr, Tammy spent 16+ years of her career immersed in the Corporate world, working as a brand, innovation, and insights strategist, where she conceptualized and launched several award winning brands and products across luxury, consumer goods, retail and tech (Disney, MasterChef x Coles, Penfolds, Georg Jensen x Heemskerk +). In her most recent role with one of the largest beverage companies in the world, Treasury Wine Estates, Tammy was responsible for the Global Innovation Strategy across 70+ brands.
In tandem, she has doubled as a genre-defying composer, producer and songwriter who has splashed notes against a wide spectrum of motion picture mediums, artist records and brands. She has also worked with leading houses such as Hans Zimmer’s Remote Control Productions and Quincy Jones Productions.
For Tammy, penning scores for the screens and balancing life as an innovator is the perfect elixir to wake up to each day.
Jon Chew
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
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Jon is a multi-talented creative with over 18 years experience in the creative industry, helping to visualise big ideas for agencies and clients around the world. Experiences he’s excited to bring to xPropelr.
Based in Los Angeles, Jon has had a distinct global advantage having built his creative career throughout several global cities, including Melb Australia, Paris France, Hong Kong, Guangzhou China and the US. From creative consulting throughout Asia to managing creative for brands in Paris, Jon brings aesthetic relevancy and solutions for any task that comes his way.
When Jon isn’t designing, he is feeding his creativity through seeing the world with his own eyes and also behind a lens. Over 70 countries and counting!
Jehan Ratnatunga
STRATEGY DIRECTOR
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Jehan is passionate about three things: entertainment, entrepreneurialism and impact - and xPropelr fits the bill perfectly.
Jehan is currently living in Melbourne Australia, and is a co-founder of Who Gives A Crap - an eco-friendly toilet paper company that donates half its profits to build toilets in the developing world. To date they have donated over $8M.
Prior to the glamorous world of toilet paper, Jehan spent nearly a decade in Silicon Valley as the Global Head of Programming Strategy for Google’s YouTube Originals. Jehan studied Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Melbourne.
Leanne Edwards
MARKETING COMMS DIRECTOR
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Leanne has always had a passion to leverage her marketing, communications and policy background to elevate arts and culture and community supporting efforts. Therefore xPropelr is a venture that opens another avenue to put this experience to help in this space.
Leanne Edwards is a policy director at Committee for Melbourne, Australia covering issues such as skills, artificial intelligence, transport, arts and culture, affordable housing and planning. Leanne is a marketing, policy and communications specialist with 20+ years experience and has held roles such as General Manager - marketing, communications and policy at Master Builders Association of Victoria and Senior Brand Manager at Coles supermarkets. She was also previously a corporate lawyer at Herbert Smith Freehills and Arnold Bloch Leibler.
Having a deep love for the arts, Leanne has held a Board position with Gasworks Arts Park. Her energy for travel also took her to New York to complete her MBA at NYU.
Rebekah Chew
IMPACT PARTNER DIRECTOR
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With over a decade of experience in international development and a focus on strengthening partnerships to maximise impact and value for money, Rebekah was drawn to this role in xPropelr to put her experience to use in ensuring that all funds raised for xPropelr's cause to end modern slavery are put to the best possible use and deliver lasting results working together with xPropelr's partners.
Currently working in New York with the United Nations Development Programme, Rebekah supports and provides advice to governments around the world on how to strengthen partnerships for more inclusive and sustainable development. Rebekah started her career in government in her hometown Melbourne, Australia, and has since worked in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America with the Australian Government, multilateral organisations and international non-profits.
When she's not at work, Rebekah is either planning for or off on an adventure. This usually involves exploring foreign countries, lots of eating, long bicycle rides, and lazy afternoons spent wandering seaside towns.
Olivia Long
PR STRATEGY DIRECTOR
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Olivia is a Master Networker, PR Maven & Head of Sales with 15+ years experience. She’s established a global presence to serve the community at large, successfully implementing publicity campaigns for 100+ indie artists, signed acts to major record labels, dot.com entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
To date, Olivia has secured press placements in small, mid-level and top-tier publications worldwide including MTV, VH1, BET, just to name a few.
Board of directors
Josie Skott
SECRETARY
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Josephine (Jo)'s passion for social justice and extensive experience in both the corporate sector and non-for-profits, intersect through her role on the xPropelr board.
With over 30 years of experience in chartered accounting and taxation, Jo has used her professional skills to work with people and organisations within the business world and across a multitude of industries, some of which include artists in the creative industry and charities. Currently, Jo works in a boutique accounting firm in the CBD of Melbourne, Australia and also sits on two boards and a committee of management of not-for-profit organisations. Jo is a very accomplished professional whose corporate endeavours are driven by an internal desire to support others in their personal and business journeys and to partner with organisations to make positive changes in the local and global community.
Outside of the office, Jo is a dedicated mother, wife and friend to many. Growing up with a family in the music industry she is an incredibly creative and musical person and enjoys sharing these talents with her loved ones and the community. Working with the xPropelr team is a great privilege, and Jo ravishes the opportunity to combine both her creative passion and corporate experience for meaningful social change.
Filomena Palmer
TREASURER
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Filomena jumped at the chance of working alongside Tammy in the formation of xPropelr, as Treasurer in its founding Board, bringing her great satisfaction in the utilisation of her professional skills for the greater purpose of helping children in need.
Living in Melbourne, Australia, Filomena has 25+ years experience in senior finance management and leadership roles in the energy industry, as well as in the not-for-profit sector over the last 5 years. Through the years, Filomena has taken every opportunity to be involved in creative projects and initiatives to launch awareness and raise funds for children and communities in need and living in poverty.
A love of Italy, Filomena’s country of birth, means frequent holidaying there, catching up with her extended family in Rome as well as seeing other beautiful parts of Italy, and some venturing to other parts of Europe which she hopes to extend.
Filomena’s other passions include singing, songwriting and recording, as well as serving voluntarily on the Boards of various not-for-profit organisations.