Media release: New board member

MEDIA RELEASE
13 October 2020

PwC Australia Partner and Chief Digital & Information Officer, Vishy Narayanan, appointed to the board of Good Things Foundation Australia
Ahead of Get Online Week being held from 19-25 October, Good Things Foundation Australia has announced the appointment of PwC Australia Partner and Chief Digital & Information Officer, Vishy Narayanan as a non-executive director to the board. Narayanan is an accomplished digital transformation executive and brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise in business, technology and strategy.

As a social change charity, Good Things Foundation focuses on improving the lives of Australians through digital literacy initiatives. Narayanan aims to use his skills to help position Good Things Foundation as a key player in Australia’s digital transformation and COVID-19 recovery roadmap.

“I am very pleased to be joining the board of Good Things Foundation as I see improving digital literacy as the first step in building a nation where every individual, regardless of their background, has equal access to opportunity,” Narayanan said.

“With adequate training and improved infrastructure, the internet will become the ticket out of unemployment, isolation and poverty that millions of Australians will need in a post-pandemic era.”

The need for adequate digital access and appropriate skills is more apparent than ever before, as the COVID-19 pandemic has seen Australians adapt to working, learning, shopping, accessing services and communicating online. Good Things Foundation provides support and training for many of those who have been disproportionately affected by the wider impacts of COVID-19, including elderly citizens, people with disabilities, migrants, people from low-socioeconomic backgrounds and those from rural and remote areas amongst others.

Narayanan believes there are three key factors in building a universally-connected nation, particularly in rural and remote areas which lack the infrastructure required to support an online workforce and community.

“Access to technology including fast internet is the baseline we need to achieve but we also need to ensure public and private services are equipped to deliver to their customers within an online environment. The third area we need to focus on is helping people establish the skills and mindset to participate online and this includes building people’s confidence.”

Narayanan also considers that the digitisation of the Australian workforce should be seen as an opportunity for rural and remote communities rather than as a threat. With remote work opening up opportunities for regional areas, Narayanan says that governments and the private sector need to work together with the community to improve access and upskill Australians so that digital inclusion is no longer an issue.

“Good Things Foundation completed a rigorous process to identify the skills and expertise we need for our Board, as well as for the values and culture alignment as an entrepreneurial and diverse charity,” said Jo Cavanagh OAM, Board Chair. “We have an ambitious strategy to benefit more Australians and warmly welcome Vishy to our team.”

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For interviews, images or further information, please contact:

Cassandra Strakosch
Good Things Foundation Australia
(02) 9051 9292 or communications@goodthingsaustralia.org