We come from different cultures, hold different beliefs, speak different languages, and love in different ways—yet at our core, we are all human. Every person deserves access to quality healthcare, equal rights, education that reflects diverse ways of learning, social and emotional wellbeing, and, as we age, compassionate and dignified aged care.
Founded by Leanne Phillips, The Sanctuary of Embracing Difference is a not-for-profit organisation built on her vision of inclusive, healthy, and thriving communities. Her lifelong commitment to community work reflects a deep belief in acceptance, healing, and collective strength.
At The Sanctuary of Embracing Difference, we design creative and sustainable solutions that empower individuals and communities. Through mentoring, training, assessment, coaching, and natural therapy programs, we deliver holistic approaches to social and emotional wellbeing.
We partner with Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, organisations, and businesses to create strategies tailored to diverse needs. Our work is grounded in building relationships and networks founded on honesty, trust, and commitment.
We strive to provide meaningful support and relief for:
Our vision is to create communities where difference is embraced, healing is possible, and every person feels seen, valued, and supported.
Founder & Managing Director, The Sanctuary of Embracing Difference
Leanne Phillips is a visionary healer, teacher, mentor, guide, and connector who has dedicated her life to empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as well as migrant Australians. A passionate advocate for holistic approaches to humanity, she is a creator and serial entrepreneur whose work is grounded in collective healing, cultural safety, and social transformation.
With extensive expertise in designing and delivering social and emotional wellbeing programs, Leanne has spent more than a decade establishing organisations that challenge societal limitations and inspire individuals to embrace sustainable, authentic lives. As Founder and Managing Director of The Sanctuary of Embracing Difference, her leadership consistently focuses on creating spaces of acceptance, resilience, and growth.
Her vision is to build environments where love and belonging know no bounds. Leanne’s mentoring style is deeply holistic blending the roles of confidant, coach, and guide. She believes that true growth requires healing the spirit, and that forgiveness and acceptance are essential pathways to building unified communities.
Beyond her community work, Leanne has founded and managed several private businesses, including Healing to Employment and Oasis of Inner Light. These enterprises have not only provided practical solutions for wellbeing and empowerment but have also shaped the values and ethos she brings to the boardroom. Her entrepreneurial experience has instilled a strong commitment to sustainability, innovation, and cultural integrity—principles that guide her governance and leadership at the board level.
Leanne’s career spans government and community agencies, where she has developed programs supporting education, employment, and life skills for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As an Aboriginal woman, she brings lived insight and experience into the challenges facing her communities, shaping services that emphasise personal responsibility, cultural connection, and resilience.
Through initiatives such as Living Cultural Heritage Workshops, Women’s Business Workshops, Reconnecting with the Land Retreats, and other transformative projects, Leanne continues to nurture the next generation of leaders. Her work is widely respected and deeply impactful, embodying her unwavering belief in the power of healing, acceptance, and collective empowerment.
Aunty Yvonne proudly embraces her Aboriginal heritage, with family roots in the Kamilaroi area of South Queensland and Northern New South Wales. She brings to the board a wealth of professional expertise and lived experience, alongside her role as a devoted mother of four and grandmother of eight.
A Registered Nurse, Yvonne holds a Graduate Diploma in Health Education, a Diploma of Disability, and advanced qualifications in Assessment and Workplace Training and Frontline Management. Her career spans government service, where she worked as a policy and project officer, and community development, where she was instrumental in establishing NGO self‑help groups that empower individuals and families.
Beyond her professional achievements, Yvonne is the Spiritual Leader of the Westside Spiritual Haven in Camira, Ipswich, guiding people through guest speaking, group facilitation, meditation, and one‑to‑one sessions. She is also the owner of Orley Supported Accommodation, providing housing and tailored support services for people with intellectual disabilities, mental illness, and acquired brain injury.
Her qualifications, leadership, and commitment to cultural safety and inclusion make Yvonne a valued member of the board. She contributes strategic insight, compassionate guidance, and a holistic perspective that strengthens the organisation’s vision of creating safe, nurturing environments where individuals can thrive, rebuild confidence, and live with dignity.
Rachelle Cooper Kulkarni is a visionary change-maker, environmentalist, and futurist dedicated to advancing equitable and impactful outcomes across diverse communities. With a career defined by navigating uncertainty and complexity, she brings a dynamic blend of systems thinking and relational problem-solving to drive transformational change.
Her work spans both public and private sectors in Australia and internationally, where she has cultivated a breadth of skills and practical experience in delivering inclusive, innovative solutions. She holds a Master’s degree in Sustainability and Adaptation and is a certified professional in Change, Project, Program, and Portfolio Management, underscoring her commitment to rigorous, results-driven leadership.
Through her own enterprises, Rachelle partners with Indigenous businesses and communities in the renewable energy sector, championing culturally respectful collaboration and sustainable development. She is widely regarded for her ability to bridge diverse perspectives, foster strategic partnerships, and inspire collective action. Rachelle’s leadership is grounded in integrity, foresight, and a deep commitment to environmental stewardship. Her expertise, combined with her passion for community empowerment, positions her as a valuable member of our board assisting with strategic foresight, inclusive innovation, and impact.
Janelle is a values‑driven community development advocate whose work is grounded in strengthening resilience, connection, and inclusion across Queensland communities. Her greatest contribution lies in her ability to bring people together with compassion, clarity, and purpose — creating environments where individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.
With extensive experience in community engagement, leadership, mentoring, and project development, Janelle consistently delivers outcomes that reflect her deep commitment to genuine community‑led development. Her strategic insight and relational approach ensure that programs and initiatives are not only effective, but culturally safe, inclusive, and sustainable.
Janelle is widely recognised for her contributions across Southeast Queensland, where she has supported initiatives that foster belonging, participation, and healthy lifestyles for families, young people, and diverse cultural groups. Through her work with organisations such as Access Community Services (now SSI), the Multicultural Sports Club Queensland, and various Logan‑based community projects, she has helped strengthen networks and create meaningful, long‑lasting opportunities for people of all ages to engage, learn, and grow.
Her leadership is grounded in empathy and practical experience, enabling her to build supportive environments where individuals and communities feel confident to step into their potential. Janelle’s mentoring of young people and emerging leaders reflects her belief in nurturing the next generation of changemakers — guiding them to develop confidence, purpose, and the skills needed to create positive social impact.
Currently managing a community‑focused café, Janelle continues to invest in future leaders while exploring her passions for coffee, music, and community connection. Her volunteer work at festivals along the Southeast Coast of Australia reflects her natural inclination to contribute, uplift, and create spaces where people feel welcome.
Janelle holds qualifications in Public Health and Community Development and is expanding her knowledge through studies in holistic wellbeing, including emerging interests in alternative healing practices such as Forest Therapy.
Across all her roles, Janelle brings unwavering dedication to community connection, lifelong learning, and collective wellbeing. These values guide her ongoing contributions to community events, capacity‑building programs, and strategic forums focused on social inclusion and empowerment.