Mat Tinkler is Group CEO of Save the Children Australia and has driven child rights change for almost a decade.
Mat is trained in biochemistry and molecular biology but began his career as a commercial lawyer at Minter Ellison. He went on to serve as the acting Executive Director for the Public Interest Law Clearing House (now Justice Connect) and as the Attorney-General’s Adviser to Senator Natasha Stott Despoja between 2007 and 2008.
From 2009 to 2013, Mat was Chief of Staff to the Hon Bill Shorten MP during the Rudd and Gillard Labor Governments, working across multiple portfolios in financial services, social policy, workplace relations and education.
Mat has led Save the Children’s drive to become be the leading voice for child rights in Australia. He has also built a large and diverse portfolio of international programs, including with key multilateral donors like the Green Climate Fund, Education Cannot Wait and the Global Partnership for Education.
Mat has also been at the forefront of Save the Children’s business model diversification, sitting on the Board of a number of social enterprises and Chairing Inclusiv Education and the Centre for Humanitarian Leadership. He sits on Save the Children’s global Management Committee, overseeing programs in 120 countries.
Together with his wife, Kate, Mat is a co-wrangler of three beautiful little humans: Audrey (13), Flynn (11) and Margot (7).
