Donna Stolzenberg
Founder and CEO, the National Homeless Collective
VICTORIAN AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR 2021
Proud Indigenous woman Donna Stolzenberg is a CEO, keynote speaker and trainer. In 2014, she had the simple idea of handing out 50 donated sleeping bags to homeless people. That idea has evolved into a nationwide charity.
The National Homeless Collective (NHC) is a grassroots Australian organisation that helps people affected by homelessness, domestic violence and social disadvantage.
A mother of five boys and a grandmother of two, Donna has lived experience of overcoming hardship. Under Donna’s direction, NHC has created six sub-charities targeting different issues – Period Project, School Project, Plate Up Project, Sleeping Bags for Homelessness, and Secret Women’s Business. It also runs The Kala Space, an op shop employing women affected by domestic abuse and/or homelessness.
Donna’s generosity and resourcefulness have provided practical solutions in Australia’s most recent crises. This includes helping women to safely escape homelessness, people affected by bushfires, or those locked down in the Melbourne towers during COVID-19.
You can follow Donna or donate to The National Homeless Collective at www.nhcollective.org.au
