Urban Insights: Building Liveable Communities

Discover how unlocking the strengths within communities can drive powerful social, economic, and environmental outcomes at Committee for Perth’s Urban Insights: Building Liveable Communities on Wednesday, 20 August, 2025.

Join internationally renowned author and community thinker Cormac Russell for an exclusive event tailored for senior leaders where bold ideas meet practical tools to create lasting impact.

Liveability is at the heart of what we do at Committee for Perth. We believe connected and engaged communities will make Perth a global region of choice to live, work, study, invest and visit, and this event will give members the tools to build engagement, inside out.

Part 1: Breakfast (7.30am-9.00am)
Enjoy breakfast while Cormac shares insights into how communities can become resilient and future-ready by identifying and mobilising internal assets.

This will be followed by a panel discussion featuring community engagement leaders who will share real world stories of how they are building strong, thriving communities wherever they operate. Panel details will be announced soon, so stay tuned!

Part 2: Cormac Russell Workshop (9.30am-11.00am)
Following breakfast, Cormac will lead a hands-on session offering practical tools and strategies that can redefine how businesses collaborate, build resilience, and achieve long-term success.

We encourage participants to attend both sessions; however, if time is limited, you are welcome to join either part of the program.

This event is ideal for professionals involved in stakeholder engagement, corporate affairs, and community development.

We look forward to welcoming you to this important conversation on building stronger, vibrant and more liveable communities.

EVENT PHOTOS

SPEAKER

Cormac Russell
Nurture Development

Cormac is a social explorer, an author and a much sought-after speaker. He is the Founding Director of Nurture Development and a member of the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Institute, at DePaul University, Chicago.

Over the last 25 years, Cormac’s work has demonstrated an enduring impact in 35 countries around the world. He has trained communities, agencies, NGOs and governments in ABCD and other community-based approaches in Africa, Asia, Australia/Oceania, Europe and North America.

His most recent books are The Connected Community- Discovering the Health, Wealth, and Power of Neighborhoods (Coauthor John McKnight); Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2022, and Rekindling Democracy – A Professional’s Guide to Working in Citizen Space; Cascade Books, 2020.

Cormac’s TEDx talk can be viewed here

PANELLISTS

Catherine Bentley
Head of Brand and Engagement, Development WA

Catherine is the Head of Brand and Engagement at DevelopmentWA and a recognised leader in driving organisational change through meaningful engagement. She has been instrumental in leading the organisation’s journey from early initiatives such as the Aboriginal Development Manager Program through to embedding strategic approaches that strengthen long-term relationships with stakeholders.

She oversees DevelopmentWA’s, engagement, marketing, place activation and communications teams, with a clear focus on delivering outcomes that make a real difference to the community. Her leadership has contributed to DevelopmentWA receiving two IAP2 Awards, and she continues to advocate for approaches that listen, learn, and partner in ways that create lasting value for communities throughout Western Australia.

Mark Glasson
Chief Executive Officer, Anglicare WA

Mark joined Anglicare WA in October 2013 and until his appointment as Chief Executive Officer in March 2019, held responsibility for the organisation’s service delivery across Western Australia. In October 2021 Mark was elected as President of WACOSS and is currently a Board Member of Anglicare Australia and Homelessness Australia.

Mark was the Chairperson of Shelter WA between 2015 and 2019 and is the Co-convenor of the Home Stretch WA Campaign and a member of the Ending Homelessness WA Alliance. Mark holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of New South Wales, a Graduate Diploma in Media Studies from Edith Cowan University is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and has over twenty-five years experience across a range of human services including service delivery to families and children, community development, public policy and services to offenders.

Mark describes himself as a committed collaborator striving to find new solutions to old problems. 

Sharon Rowse
General Manager Community Impact, RAC WA

Originally from the UK, Sharon has over 30 years of experience in senior management positions in private, government and mutual organisations.

Sharon joined RAC in 2015 as Executive Manager Advocacy and Members. In 2017/8, Sharon led the formation of a new 10-year advocacy strategy for the organisation and in 2020 delivered a new purpose, vision and mission to ensure RAC leads the way as a purpose-led member organisation.

Sharon is currently RAC’s General Manager Community Impact, leading a team that is responsible for actively influencing RAC’s Vision 2030 for a safe, sustainable and connected future for Western Australians. This is achieved through community and youth engagement, volunteering, sponsorship and community education programs.

Prior to RAC, Sharon worked in the local government sector for over a decade, most recently as Director of City Development at the City of Kwinana.

Sharon commenced her career in London, working for both Disney and Universal. Sharon is a passionate about working with community-based organisations and not-for-profits and is a very active volunteer in her own community.

EVENT HOST