We are makers, visualisers and learners.
We focus on the often 'invisible' infrastructures that create scaffolding to support transforming systems.
HOW WE WORK
Context is always the starting point for shaping how we design work with our partners. We start with where you are – not a set suite of frameworks and methods.
We often find ourselves in roles involving:
Critical friending
Being a trusted partner who asks provocative questions and offers different lenses. A neutral-party perspective to support navigating emergence and complexity.
Deliberative gathering, convening and weaving
Reshaping relational dynamics, bringing together ‘strange-and-familiar-bedfellows’ to unpack issues in new ways, drawing out diverse perspectives.
See how this comes to life in some of our recent work
Adaptive Learning Co-Design
Shifting the emphasis of evaluation towards a focus on iteration. Designing cycles for rapid learning and adaptation, reimagining accountabilities and more.
Testing, Experimenting + Learning
For portfolio approaches: applying Challenge-led design frameworks to develop emergent learning-oriented Portfolios to support directional shifts.
Story translating and building
Working with communities, organisations and initiatives, creating and reframing stories to unearth useful patterns that inspire action towards positive change.
Scaffolding and growing new infrastructures
Working in spaces where uncertainty means it’s hard to identify what is needed, so we start to explore and learn together and then grow the infrastructures as we learn forward, step by step.
We are radically curious.
We believe systems transformation starts with envisioning new possibilities.
We are capability-builders, convenors and critical friends. Our work is diverse. But through ‘the work’ – wherever, whenever and however we do it - our constant intention is to push the boundaries of innovation to get us closer to greener and more just futures.
OUR CO-DIRECTORS
Dr Ingrid Burkett
Ingrid is a social innovator, a maker, a big picture thinker. She draws experience from fields as diverse as finance, social work and design into a focus on systems innovation. Ingrid has a passion for innovating the ‘boring’ – underlying civic and institutional capabilities and infrastructures to enable society to co-create positive futures. Her research and work have contributed to the design of policy and processes across many fields including procurement and impact investment.
Dr Cathy Boorman
Cathy is passionate about the wellbeing of people and places and has designed, implemented, researched and led the evaluation of place-based initiatives locally and internationally. With extensive experience in community, State and Local Government , Cathy draws on her diverse experiences to deliver transformational learning and applied research with students, community and academic partners.
OUR EXTENDED TEAM
Craig Cunningham
Project Co-ordinator & Design Lead (SMBI Living Lab)
Craig is an experienced practitioner who tackles complex challenges alongside others, focusing on what matters and taking practical steps that test, learn, and guide what comes next. He believes change comes from curiosity, rigorous practice, and adaptation — not perfect plans — and that capability is built by delivering results, not just talking. He values clarity, trust, and the collective grit it takes to keep moving when the way forward isn’t yet clear.
Kylie Colville
Learning & Adaption Lead (SMBI Living Lab)
Kylie is a problem solving activist. Passionate about justice in the social sphere she started her career in education before moving into community based development and social work. Personally and professionally Kylie advocates for change that will enable flourishing for all people, in all places.
Gael Surgenor
Associate
Gael is an experienced leader and social innovator whose career is rooted in community and economic development, social justice, and human rights. She has worked across central and local government and grassroots spaces to enable positive social change including as a panel member reviewing the future for local governance and government in New Zealand and as Director of Community and Social Innovation at TSI, an Auckland Council initiative focused on place based social and economic change.
Zainab
Community Researcher
Zainab is passionate about women’s rights, gender equity and social justice. As an aspiring community researcher, she is committed to amplifying lived experiences and supporting meaningful community-led change.
Gia
Community Researcher
Gia is a Social Work student who is passionate about advocacy, community engagement and creating meaningful social change.
Thereze
Community Researcher
Thereze is a Burundian-born educator, interpreter, and stand-up comedian who lives in Australia. After spending 12 years in a refugee camp in Tanzania she moved to Australia in 2007 and later became a qualified High School mathematics teacher. Through her comedy and community work, she shares stories about cultural experiences, language, and resilience while helping new Australians feel connected and included.
Rohani
Community Researcher
Rohani is a passionate champion of multicultural communities and advocate for domestic and family violence prevention, youth development, seniors' wellbeing, and homelessness outreach. She has held leadership roles with GOPIO Queensland, the Indian Senior Citizens Association Inc., the Queensland Multicultural Council, and Mum's United Sewa Project. She is guided by her enduring belief in "Unity in Diversity and Humanity" and the principle to "Be the Change You Wish to See in the World."
The Good Shift® was founded in 2024 by three women, Ingrid Burkett, Joanne McNeill and Cathy Boorman who had collaborated over many years and shared a passion for radically pragmatic, collective change making imbued with curiosity, care generosity and accountability. Our origin story reflects our dynamic and adaptive nature.
The Good Shift was originally established as a stand-alone purpose-built ‘spin out’ of Griffith Centre for Systems Innovation which had previously been known as The Yunus Centre Griffith. GCSI was incubated by Griffith Business School from 2019-2024, experimenting with a different kind of business model within a university setting, and demonstrating how a university can play an Anchor Institution role around fostering innovation and new approaches to tackling complex issues. The GCSI team appreciated the opportunity Griffith University offered, providing space and institutional support to test innovative approaches and develop, and ultimately transition bodies of work within the University and out to The Good Shift.
Like all start-ups, our first full year of operations in 2025 involved developing internal systems and processes while also working with existing and new partners to tackle diverse challenges. We engaged with diverse systems actors to expand knowledge and practice regarding challenge-led innovation, collaborative governance, civic participation, and continued to generate infrastructure for learning-by-doing.
In 2026 we are continuing to evolve as one of our Co-Founders, Dr Joanne McNeill moves on. Joanne played a key role in laying strong foundations for both GCSI and The Good Shift, and brought a wealth of knowledge to our projects. We are forever grateful for her contributions.
Projects commenced in 2025 are continuing to deepen and mature and many existing new opportunities are on the horizon. Stay posted!
OUR ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION STORY