Five minutes with Philippa Butt, our Senior Social Innovator

Meet Philippa Butt, one of TACSI’s Senior Social Innovators. Philippa is passionate about spending time outdoors and eating delicious food, and she’d love to see humanity spending more time deeply listening to others with different perspectives.


26 May 2023

The TACSI Team

When you're not at work, what do you get up to?

I love being outdoors on the weekends, spending time at the beach, and hiking in the bush. I also love eating delicious food and catching live music in intimate venues.

What change would you like to see in the world, and why?

More time spent deeply listening to others with different perspectives, and dialogue to help us overcome the chasms and divides that exist.

What were you doing before working at TACSI?

I worked at the Black Dog Institute, managing a piece of research trying to create supports for men at risk of suicide who aren't in contact with any formal health services. We were looking at ways to do research differently and involve the voices of people who have had suicidal thoughts and attempts so they can tell us what needs to look different in the system.

Who inspires you, and why?

My nieces; they are both such powerhouses who I know are going to take the world by storm.

Looking back at your career, what’s been the highlight?

Opening a new community mental health service in Western Sydney. It was tough but I learnt a huge amount and it was a privilege to walk alongside people who had experienced really complex trauma as they set incredible goals for their lives.

What are you reading, watching or listening to at the moment?

Season three of Ted Lasso – I'm obsessed. I love Ted Lasso's humility and cheerfulness. He always brightens my evenings.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you 'grew up'?

I had a post-office shop that I loved. Mostly because of the stamping. So either in the post office or a librarian.

What's a book, film or resource that you would recommend to someone interested in social impact?

Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World by Tyson Yunkaporta. We have lots to learn from Indigenous ways of thinking, knowing and being.

What's something on your bucket list?

The Overland Track in Lutruwita (Tasmania)

We're social
Get in touch

ADELAIDE
Level 1, 279 Flinders St
Adelaide SA 5000

SYDNEY
1/145 Redfern Street

Redfern NSW 2016

Subscribe to our newsletter
Be the first to hear about TACSI events, resources, our big ideas, and new projects.
© 2025 TACSI
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and Owners of the lands in which we work and live on across Australia. We pay our respects to Elders of the past, present and emerging. We are committed to collaboration that furthers self-determination and creates a better future for all. Please note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material.
At TACSI, diversity and inclusion is more than a statement; equality and accessibility are guiding principles embedded in everything we do. We strongly believe that it’s the collective sum of all our communities differences, life experiences, and knowledge that enables both ourselves and our partners to come together to tackle complex social issues. That’s why we’re committed to having a diverse team made up of people with diverse skills from all backgrounds, including First Nations peoples, LGBTIQ+, mature-age people, and people with visible and non-visible disabilities, regardless of sex, sexuality or gender identity.