Governance
The Foundation
The SILJA Living Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation in Australia and is in the process of being registered as a company limited by guarantee (expected in Q4 2025)
We aim to seek charity status with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and endorsement as a deductible gift recipient (DGR) with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), expected in first-half of 2026
Patrons (voting members)
Fostering engagement and a community of pioneers, we invite Patrons to apply to become voting members, empowered to shape the Foundation’s future
As a member, you’ll have voting rights on resolutions, including electing independent directors, and be eligible for Board of Trustee positions
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
We are in the process of establishing as a not-for-profit organisation in Australia
We adhere to ACNC governance standards, including appointing an independent auditor and publicly publishing annual financial statements for full transparency
Funds Under Management & Impact Reporting
All four funds under management are audited annually and have separate accounting
The Foundation Development Fund
The EcoVillage Project Fund
The Ecosystem Services Gift Fund
The Necessitous Circumstances Gift Fund
We prioritise accountability through real-time tracking and offer customised impact reports in alignment with your philanthropic goals
A seasoned finance and business analysis professional with a passion for entrepreneurship and sustainability, with a background in environmental, social and for-purpose enterprises
Mikael has held senior roles at companies such as Rio Tinto and Regeneration Enterprises, where he focused on commercial strategy, data-driven decision-making, and project valuation
As a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) and Project Management Professional (PMP), Mikael brings expertise in financial modelling, strategic planning, and operational efficiency to drive our mission of building new beginnings
Mikael Stenius
Founder & Visionary Lead
Vacant
Independent Director
(Board of Trustees)
Vacant
Independent Director
(Board of Trustees)
Board of Trustees
Governed by the Board of Trustees in accordance with our Constitution, the Foundation maintains at least three and no more than nine directors (with at least one independent director per associate director for balance)
Independent directors are elected by Foundation Patrons (voting members), while associate directors are appointed by the Board of Trustees
All directors owe fiduciary duties to our not-for-profit purposes and public benefit, with no private benefits, and are bound by strict conflict-of-interest policies to uphold integrity
The Foundation will be managed by a small efficient core team with additional resources drawn from the Patron network to achieve operational scale
