OUR MISSION
To empower the brave by creating space and community for them to connect, grow, and succeed.
OUR
STORY
Organically grown. Wildly determined.
We are a social impact organisation supporting a diverse and at times, geographically isolated, community of founders. We provide coworking desks, private offices, meeting rooms and event space, as well as a vast community network that gives people in regional Australia the best chance at commercial success in their own business.
In July 2017, Jillian Kilby wrote to the CEO of Telstra: "I would like to acquire the abandoned former post office and telephone exchange in Dubbo".
In November 2018, Telstra announced the sale of the building and Jillian delivered on her commitment to make the grand old dame the future home of The Exchange community.
We are a community and coworking space that first and foremost aims to build confidence, capacity and capability to increase the chance of commercial success of startups, those scaling businesses, and even those still sitting on the fence. People frequently arrive at the events to find the team unpacking more chairs due to unprecedented demand, and the words “I’ve been following you on Instagram” or “I have the biggest crush on your team.”
In the past 3 years, our startup has evolved and grown to thrive in our region and beyond, operating across three core pillars of impact and expanding to new sites. The opportunity to connect, learn and grow is far reaching. We have an online following of over 3000, a community of over 400 members, over 150 events marked off the calendar, our one of a kind Clock Tower in the Main Street of Dubbo, and brand new locations expanding our impact on the way!
This is our story. And, we hope, it will be your story too.
OUR VALUES
EMPOWERING.
We know your potential is ahead of you.
The Exchange is behind you.
EMPOWERING.
CONNECTING.
CONNECTING.
We believe in the power of connection and hope to create a community where opportunities cross path.
GROWTH.
GROWTH.
We are huge fans of growth mindset. We aspire to create space to think and room to grow.
We aim to be a lifeline of information and ideas. We encourage our team and community to share space and knowledge and learn from each other.
SHARING.
SHARING.
COURAGE.
COURAGE.
We hold seats for the brave and the willing. We challenge our team and our community members to face their fears and jump right in.
GRATITUDE.
Thank YOU!
We appreciate the good things and the wonderful people in our lives. We are so glad YOU are here!
GRATITUDE.
MEET
(Y)OUR TEAM
JILLIAN
Founder
& CEO
Winner of the 2018 NSW/ACT AgriFutures Australia Rural Women’s Award, Jillian is unwilling to settle for the status quo.
She approaches life optimistically, with the logical thinking of a civil engineer, the roll-up-your-sleeves attitude of a farmer’s daughter from Coonamble, and an altruistic passion for change.
Jillian splits her time between Dubbo, Sydney, and Silicon Valley. Her dream is to create a community of collaborators, to increase the confidence, capability, and capacity of business owners, no matter where they choose to live.
KATE
Dubbo Operations Manager
Kate is super organised.
She is our customer experience and operations guru, who thrives in a fast-paced and energetic environment. With a background in executive office management roles, Kate always ensures that client expectations are upheld and that the team is as prepared as they can be.
Kate is a Dubbo local who is social and active in the local community. She is also a wife, mum of two, and co-founder of her very own side-hustle, One More Thread. It's safe to say, Kate is both brave, and bold.
KARINA
Customer Experience
Karina is a proud Aboriginal woman born and bred on the Western Plains of NSW. You will find her going above and beyond for our customers at The Clocktower each day.
Her drive for excellence sees her apply herself in all aspects of her work and educational journey, and she never shy's away from an opportunity to learn.
Karina's leadership capacity was recognised early with a DEEWR scholarship through the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program. She is continually rising to meet any challenge thrown her way.
ALEX
The Exchange Group HQ Manager
With an unstoppable drive for success, Alex is on top of all things Exchange headquarter operations, also moonlighting as Jillian’s Executive Assistant!
After 2 years working in Operations and Events in London, her focus is US! She has a passion for business development and team administration, ensuring every experience at The Exchange is a great one for both our team and for YOU!
With family roots in Dubbo and a degree in Business from Charles Sturt University, she is ready to tackle any challenge for The Exchange team and our community.
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MALAIKA
Program
Manager
Wildly determined, Malaika is our resident big-picture thinker.
Having recently returned from incubating female-led businesses in Zambia, she combines global best practices with grassroots experience. With an International Studies and Economics degree, Malaika is passionate about social impact and finding sustainable answers to start-up problems.
Malaika is leading The Change program across the Orana Region. You’ll find her knee-deep in research, stakeholder analysis, program development, and delivery.
OUR VISION
10 years from now, people all around regional Australia will turn around and say “I started my business at The Exchange Clock Tower - And that made all the difference.”