Born From Community.
Built For Change.
Kazi Konnect (ABN 71 695 480 703) was founded on one belief: a real job is one of the most transformative things you can give another person.
John Kuot
Founder & Director, Kazi Konnect
Fulbright Scholar and economist who came to Australia as a refugee. He worked across the Victorian Government, the UN Development Programme, and Homes Victoria — and in Youth Justice, created the Umoja Program at Parkville College. He built Kazi Konnect on what he learned: a real job changes everything.
The Name "Kazi"
"Kazi" means "work" in Swahili — reflecting the company's roots in African communities and its promise to be a bridge to meaningful employment for everyone.
"Konnect" speaks to our core function: connecting people and employers, bridging communities, linking the commercial with the social.
"A stable job is one of the most powerful interventions we have. It replaces idle time with purpose, and gives people a reason to invest in tomorrow."
Mission, Vision & Values
Mission
To create meaningful employment pathways for people who have been overlooked, one opportunity at a time.
Vision
To be the leading provider of economic opportunity for those that never got the chance.
Purpose
To prove that social enterprise and commercial labour hire are not just compatible — they are stronger, more resilient, and more impactful when they work together.
Compliance First
Every worker is lawfully employed, insured, and properly paid. No exceptions, no compromises.
Community Rooted
Embedded in the communities we serve, with the networks and trust that formal institutions can't replicate.
Measurable Impact
We track employment outcomes, not just placements. Real change must be demonstrable and evidence-based.
Mutual Commitment
We ask employers and workers alike for genuine investment in making every placement succeed.
The Job Is
The Intervention.
Stable employment replaces idle time with routine, provides lawful income, and builds a pro-social identity. That is how crime risk falls. That is why we do this.
Structured Routine
Work hours replace the unstructured time that increases risk-taking and reoffending.
Lawful Income
A real wage removes the financial pressure that drives criminal activity.
Pro-Social Identity
Being a valued employee changes how people see themselves — and how others see them.
Management
Community roots, lived experience, and professional expertise — united by one belief.
John Kuot
Founder & Managing Director
Kazi Konnect · ABN 71 695 480 703
Sets strategic direction — employer partnerships, compliance, licensing, and government relationships. Builds the employer pipeline that creates jobs and ensures the support systems that keep workers in them. Structures this as a business: rigorous, reported, and built to last.
Director of Operations
HiringDirector — Project Delivery & Site Operations
Leads end-to-end project delivery — coordinating worker placements, managing site relationships, tracking milestones, and ensuring commitments to host employers are met on time.
Director of Workforce
HiringDirector — Workforce Compliance & People
Leads workforce operations including rostering, attendance, Fair Work compliance, WorkCover, and payroll — keeping every placement running smoothly and within the law.
Daniel White
Director, Partnerships & Government Relations
Brings experience across government relations, policy, disability services, housing innovation, and support for emerging businesses in Australia. Previously a political adviser with 15 years of experience, including as NDIS political adviser to the Hon Bill Shorten, former Minister for the NDIS and Government Services, from 2022 to 2025.
We Don't Work Alone.
Our strength comes from our partnerships. The Kazi Konnect team is amplified by a network of social service organisations, community leaders, and industry professionals — all working toward the same goal.
View Our PartnersJoin Our Team
Kazi Konnect is a growing social enterprise. We are actively seeking people who share our values — especially those with lived experience of the barriers our workers face. Two roles are currently open.
One of Victoria's First Labour Hire Social Enterprises
Focused Solely on the Most Socially Excluded.
Kazi Konnect sits at a unique intersection — licensed labour hire provider, social enterprise, and entirely focused on the Victorians mainstream employment leaves behind. Very few organisations in Australia occupy this space. Fewer still do it commercially, compliantly, and with governance built for the job.
Advisory Board
Chaired by Judge Michael Bourke, our seven advisors bring expertise across youth justice, refugee policy, economic governance, digital government, construction, multicultural affairs and public policy — united by a shared commitment to Kazi Konnect's social mission.
Accountability at Every Level
Seven advisors. Voluntary. Two-year terms. Four meetings a year. They are not a governing board — they are independent experts who open doors, challenge assumptions, and hold us to our commitments.
Judge Michael Bourke
Chair — Advisory Board Leadership, Justice & Youth Governance
County Court Judge | Chair, Youth Parole Board | Chair, YSAS Board
Barrister since 1981, appointed County Court Judge in 2002 and Chair of the Victorian Youth Parole Board in 2006. A champion for the rights of young people who encounter the criminal justice system, Michael has contributed to research, advocacy and reform across youth justice for over two decades. Chair of the YSAS Board and former Chair of its Remuneration and Nominations Sub-Committee. Holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Melbourne. Brings unmatched credibility, judicial rigour and youth justice expertise to Kazi Konnect's governance.
Elijah Buol OAM, MAICD
Advisory Board — Refugee & Asylum Policy, Immigration & Multicultural Leadership
CEO, Asylum Seekers Centre | Chairperson, Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland
OAM recipient and MAICD with 19+ years advising the Australian federal government on immigration and settlement policy. CEO of the Asylum Seekers Centre — providing practical support for people seeking asylum in Greater Sydney — and Chairperson of the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland. 2019 Queensland Local Hero of the Year. Former CEO of Act for Peace. Lecturer at Excelsia University College. A refugee himself, Elijah brings lived experience, deep community credibility and national-level policy expertise to Kazi Konnect's governance.
Mintwab "Minty" Tafesse
Advisory Board — Economic Policy, Strategy & Governance
Director — Transfer Pricing Economist, RSM Australia
Experienced economist and transfer pricing specialist with 15+ years across economic policy, econometrics, taxation, and strategic advisory. Director at RSM Australia advising on complex transfer pricing and compliance frameworks. Previous roles at the Productivity Commission, Australian Taxation Office, Deloitte Australia, and KPMG UK. Contributes to Australia–Africa economic engagement through the Australia Africa Chamber of Commerce.
Gary Fitzgibbon
Advisory Board — Construction, Project Delivery & Industry
Projects Director | Senior Construction Manager, Melbourne VIC
Over 15 years leading major construction projects across Victoria with Kane Constructions, Probuild, Hickory Group, and Hacer Group. Delivered large-scale residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects including Spirit of Tasmania Terminal, CENTVM Preston, and Fulton Lane CBD. Brings deep industry networks, site-level insight and practical employer-side knowledge to Kazi Konnect's construction placement model.
Nikhil Patinge
Advisory Board — Technology, Digital Government & AI Strategy
Director, Whole-of-Government Digital Integration Services, Dept. of Government Services (Vic)
Technology executive with 17 years across AI, data platforms, cloud, integration and enterprise software spanning government, financial services and telecommunications. Currently heads Victoria's Whole-of-Government Digital Integration Service — a multi-cloud platform powering 1.6B+ transactions annually across 200+ government services. Former Chief Data Officer, Victorian Department of Jobs. GAICD.
Helen Kapalos
Advisory Board — Strategy, Media, Multicultural Policy & Public Affairs
Executive Director – Strategy & External Affairs | Former Chair, Victorian Multicultural Commission
Two decades across national broadcast journalism, feature documentary production and institutional leadership. Former Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, advancing statewide social cohesion and government-backed program funding. Vice-Chancellor's Fellow for Multicultural Engagement at Swinburne University. Executive Producer of a Netflix and SBS-acquired documentary. Melbourne Business School General Management Program graduate. Brings governance, policy influence and media credibility to Kazi Konnect.
Natalie Hutchins MP
Advisory Board — Public Policy, Government, First Nations & Family Violence
Former Victorian Minister — Family Violence Prevention, Treaty & First Peoples, Women, Government Services
Member for Sydenham in the Victorian Parliament since 2010. Former Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Treaty and First Peoples, Women, Government Services, Corrections and Youth Justice. A seasoned public policy leader with deep expertise in justice reform, First Nations self-determination, gender equity and community services. La Trobe University graduate. Brings rare insight into government procurement, social policy and the systems that Kazi Konnect's participants navigate every day.
Quarterly Meetings
Minimum four per year. Additional meetings called as needed.
Transparent Reporting
Governance and financial summaries available to partners and funders on request.
Skills-Based
Legal, financial, community, and industry expertise — every seat intentional.
Board enquiries and governance correspondence
info@kazikonnect.com.au