Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International
CEO Report – 18-Month Impact Overview
July 2024 – December 2025
Anthony Venn-Brown OAM, Founder & CEO
Executive Summary
Over the past 18 months, Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International (ABBI) has continued to work at the intersection of advocacy, education, policy reform, and lived experience. Grounded in a bridge-building approach, this period has been marked by sustained activity, deepening relationships, and meaningful contributions to cultural and legislative change—most notably the banning of LGBTQ conversion practices in New South Wales.
- ABC Compass. Public education continued to expand ABBI’s reach. Filming began in February 2025 for this highly respected program was completed in December. The program is scheduled to air nationally on Sunday, 29 March 2026, and later streamed on ABC iView. The program represents both a capstone moment of long-term advocacy and a significant opportunity to deepen public understanding through national broadcast. (more details below)
- Consistent mission activity. Between July 2024 and December 2025, ABBI recorded 360 mission-related activities, averaging approximately 20 actions per month. This work included policy consultation and advisory input, conference presentations, survivor support, training and sector engagement, media participation, and ongoing public education through blogs, newsletters, and videos.
- Ending the harm, creating a better future. A defining moment during this period was ABBI’s multi-layered involvement in the NSW ban on conversion practices. ABBI acted as a key contributor and advisor, brought lived-experience insight into policy discussions, and supported survivors through the initial consultation process. Delivering the opening speech at the official launch at the New South Wales Parliament House of the ban was both a personal and professional honour, and a reflection of the trust built through years of consistent, credible advocacy. This reform represents not only legislative change but a broader cultural shift towards recognising harm, listening to survivors, and committing to prevention.
- Changing hearts and minds. ABBI’s thought leadership was further strengthened through national conference engagement. Presentations at the LGBTIQA+ Leadership Summit and the Pride in Diversity Conference addressed complex and often overlooked experiences—particularly those of LGBTQ+ people of faith and from faith backgrounds. Drawing on 25 years of advocacy, these sessions offered practical insights into what creates lasting change, while reinforcing ABBI’s role as a trusted voice across communities too often seen as incompatible.
- Support and safety for conversion “therapy” survivors. Recognising that legislation alone does not end harm, ABBI also established a private Facebook group for Australian and New Zealand conversion “therapy” survivors, providing a safe, confidential space for connection, support, and access to information. This initiative reflects ABBI’s ongoing commitment to care beyond policy reform.
- Looking ahead, ABBI will continue to focus on post-legislative engagement, training and education, survivor support, and organisational sustainability. ABBI’s independence—central to its credibility—is made possible through the support of individuals who believe this work matters and choose to walk alongside it.
