Building Toward a More Just and Peaceful World

This weeks PBA Change Maker is Andrew Hassett, the CEO of Act for Peace. Andrew leads Act for Peace into its next chapter, providing organisational leadership and stewarding the organisation’s mission, culture and direction. As Chief Executive Officer, he works alongside partners, churches and supporters to strengthen collective action for peace with justice in a time of unprecedented global displacement.

Andrew brings more than 20 years of experience across international development, advocacy, philanthropy and communications, with a strong track record of leading global and national teams through complexity and change. He has worked with INGO’s, multilateral organisations and the private sector, building multi-stakeholder partnerships and mobilising resources to deliver lasting social impact.A collaborative and values-driven leader, Andrew brings a strong commitment to dignity, justice and shared humanity.

I didn’t begin my career with a clear long-term plan. Like many people leaving university, I was still figuring out who I was and where I wanted to contribute. I started in what seemed like a “safe” path as a graduate accountant at Price Waterhouse but quickly realised I was better with words than numbers.

That led me into marketing and communications, working with an agency in London that specialises in global technology companies that I went on to establish in Australia. A pivotal moment came after the September 11 attacks. It led me to reflect more deeply on the world - why conflict happens, and how inequality shapes people’s lives. Combined with my travel experiences, it reignited my interest in my favourite subject at university, international relations.

In my early thirties, I made a deliberate shift. I went back to study a Master of International Studies and moved into the international development sector - not without experiencing moments of doubt. It took time to find my first role, but I eventually joined World Vision, where I spent seven years working across marketing, policy, campaigning and advocacy.

I then moved into a global role with World Vision International in New York, leading major advocacy campaigns on child health and ending violence against children across more than 70 countries. From there, I joined the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children to lead global communications and advocacy.

Returning to Australia, I spent a period in the investment sector with Wilson Asset Management, which broadened my perspective on capital and impact, before stepping into my current role as CEO of Act for Peace.

Looking back, my career hasn’t been linear however it has been driven by a growing understanding of myself and clarity about wanting to contribute to a more just and peaceful world.

What drives me is a strong sense of wanting the work I do to matter - both personally and in the world. Because we spend such a significant portion of our lives working, I've always believed that my work needs to be something that energises me, surrounds me with people who are optimistic about what's possible and connects to my deeper values.

For me, that means living and working with purpose, where my faith, values and professional life are aligned. It also means being part of something bigger than myself: standing in solidarity with others and contributing to a more just, fair and equitable world.

I’m motivated by work that interests me, work that sits at the intersection of social, economic and political issues - where it’s not just about responding to symptoms but engaging with the root causes of inequality and the systems that sustain it. I’ve always believed in the idea of a “fair go,” and that belief has shaped the choices I’ve made throughout my career.

Equally important is curiosity and the opportunity to learn from people of different cultures, perspectives and lived experiences. That has been one of the greatest privileges of working in international development.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent more than 20 years in this field, working towards a simple but powerful belief: that every person, regardless of who they are or where they come from, deserves dignity, rights and the opportunity to thrive.

That belief is what drew me to Act for Peace, and to its vision of a world where people displaced by conflict and disaster can find safety and belonging. It’s a privilege to work alongside a passionate team and committed partners who believe that peace is not only necessary, but possible.

If I could go back and give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be this: don’t rush. Life is long, and careers are not a straight line. I put a lot of pressure on myself early on to meet certain milestones by a certain age, when in reality the journey itself is where most of the growth happens.

I would remind myself to enjoy that journey more - to be present, to take in the experiences, the relationships, and to trust that things will unfold as they should.

And on a more practical note, I’d tell myself to slow down in the moments that matter, especially when speaking. Take a breath, pause, and don’t forget to smile.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has"  - Margaret Mead

Reading: The Son by Philipp Meyer, How to Lead Non-Profits – Turning Purpose into Impact to Change the World by Nick Grono

Watching: Documentaries by Ken Burns – The Civil War and The Vietnam War