Donna Stolzenberg, a proud Indigenous woman of Ngatjumay and Mirning heritage, is a humanitarian and social entrepreneur dedicated to tackling homelessness and social disadvantage. As founder and CEO of the National Homeless Collective (NHC), she has transformed a simple act of kindness into a nationwide movement.
In 2014, Donna began by distributing 50 sleeping bags to people experiencing homelessness, laying the foundation for the NHC. Under her leadership, the organisation has launched several initiatives, including:
- The Period Project – Provides sanitary products and menstrual hygiene education.
- The School Project – Supplies essential school items to disadvantaged children.
- Plate Up Project – Equips individuals with culinary skills for employment.
- Sleeping Bags for Homelessness – Continues distributing sleeping bags to those in need.
- Secret Women’s Business – Supports women escaping domestic violence.
- Kala Space – Employs women impacted by abuse or homelessness.
Donna’s passion stems from personal experience—at 22, she faced homelessness while raising two young children. This fuels her commitment to practical, inclusive solutions.
Named 2021 Victoria Australian of the Year, she has also led initiatives for free public access to sanitary products and pioneered flexible employment policies at Kala Space to support those in crisis.
A mother of five and grandmother, Donna balances family life with her mission to create lasting social change through empathy, innovation, and advocacy.
