Welcome to the Untapped Talent Foundation

Empowering Neurdiverse Individuals, Veterans, Returning Employees, and First Nations People

Our Mission.

To bridge the gap between exceptional, yet untapped talent and the meaningful employment opportunities they deserve.

We stand for the neurodiverse, the veterans, the returning employees focusing on women, and the First Nations people - those who have historically been side lined by the conventional pathways to employment.

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Making an Impact.

Person sitting on pebbled beach facing the water with an ocean or bay and cloudy sky in the background, wearing a white T-shirt with the word 'untapped.' and a black cap.

Ashley Semmens preparing to fin across the English Channel in an effort to raise funds for the Navy Clearance Diver Trust.

Our Initiatives.

  • Training and Education Programs: Customised training and resources to equip our communities with the skills needed for today's job market.

  • Employment Placement Services: We partner with forward-thinking businesses to ensure a diverse and inclusive workforce that thrives on the unique talents of our communities.

  • Advocacy and Awareness Campaigns: Driving change in workplace policies and culture to foster a more inclusive society.

  • Mentorship and Support Networks: Building networks of support and mentorship to guide individuals through their professional journey.

“Together, we’re rewriting the narrative of inclusivity and empowerment.”
— Carolyn Burr

Join us in Creating Change.

The Untapped Talent Foundation is more than an organisation; it’s a movement towards a more inclusive and equitable society.

Through a partnership with the Untapped Talent Foundation, organisations can make a commitment to craft a future where everyone is given the chance to shine.

A digital map of the world with continents in blue and oceans in black.
“Building bridges, breaking barriers, and cultivating a society where everyone flourishes.”
— Michael Fieldhouse

Our Board

  • Carolyn Burr

    Carolyn is passionate about supporting teams and organisations in value creation, innovation, project management, social impact, and strategic partnership growth. Carolyn’s years of experience spans across leadership, education, commercial, government, community and social enterprise settings. Carolyn has travelled globally building pathways, programs and support for Untapped Talent and has overseen the development of social impact solutions across cultures and countries. Carolyn holds a Master of Leadership (Monash University), Grad Dip Couns., and Bachelor of Arts.

  • Michael Fieldhouse

    Michael is passionate around big scale strategy concerning digital innovation, cyber-security and workplace diversity, and has assisted both senior leaders and government officials. With a management consulting background, he has over 20 years of experience as a senior executive, working with the Australian government at a federal and state level. Michael brings firm knowledge in deal origination, value creation, sales experience, general management and financial skills. Michael’s professional associations include the Harvard Club of Australia and the Harvard Alumni and as an MBA-qualified executive, is integral to innovate solutions and resolving complex issues in vital fields that thrive on accuracy and precision.

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    Debbie Fankhauser

    An executive leader with over 20 years of experience across government, community services, utilities, health, and private enterprise. As General Manager, People and Customer at Lower Murray Water between 2016-2025, Deb has led transformative organisational change, achieving measurable improvements in staff and customer engagement, safety, and business growth.

    Recognised among the Top 50 Women in the Public Sector, Deb is known for leading through complex change and her strategic strengths across Human Resources, Strategy, Risk, Operations, Customer, People & Culture, and Governance. She is a passionate advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, embedding inclusive leadership practices and equity-driven workforce strategies to foster belonging and representation across all levels of the organisation.

    A graduate of the Executive Women in Water Leadership initiative, Deb is committed to driving systemic change across the Human Resource sector. She is a published thought leader and trusted advisor to Boards and executive teams, known for her collaborative, values-driven leadership that lifts culture, strengthens safety, and enhances engagement sector-wide.