Benson Saulo

Australian Investment and TradeCommission (Austrade)

Benson Saulo brings insight, passion and experience that he has develop throughouthis working life from across corporate, not-for-profit and government sectors.In 2011, Benson was appointed the Australian Youth Representative to the UnitedNations in which he undertook a national engagement tour to gain a deeperunderstanding of issues impacting Australian youth. Benson then representedAustralian youth at the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly asan accredited member of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Benson became the founding director of theNational Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy (NIYLA), which engages youngIndigenous Australians to develop and drive youth-led social action campaigns.NIYLA participants developed and launch ten social action campaigns focusing onsuicide prevention, climate change, mental health and welcoming refugee andasylum seekers. Benson was selected to participate in the U.S. StateDepartment’s International Leaders Program that enabled him to engage FirstNation’s groups to explore leadership, economic development and culturalopportunities.

Benson was formally the Head of Partnerships -Investments at Australian Unity within their Wealth and Capital Marketsbusiness, which explore investing into Indigenous businesses to scale theirimpact through employment, financial empowerment and governance.

Benson’s work has been recognised as afinalist for Young Australian of the Year (VIC), Human Rights Medal and 2012NAIDOC Youth of the Year, and becoming a Sustainability Ambassador for City ofMelbourne’s Knowledge Week. Benson is also a non-executive director ofInnovation Unit ANZ and supports Impact Investing Australia’s Impact ReadyGrowth Grants and Sidney Myer Family Trust Poverty and Disadvantage Grants.

© 2021 The Prince's Trust | All Rights Reserved