Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Karyn Walsh retires after 30 years of service

For more than 30 years, Karyn has been the heart and driving force behind Micah Projects. Her leadership, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to social justice have shaped our organisation and influenced the broader community sector – in Brisbane, across Queensland, nationally, and internationally.

Throughout her career, Karyn has worked tirelessly to break down barriers and champion the voices of individuals and families experiencing adversity. Karyn has helped create pathways to safety, healing, justice, redress, housing, dignity, and opportunity for thousands of people.

Karyn has never shied away from challenging the systems that entrench disadvantage. Through collaboration with community organisations, government, philanthropy, and researchers, she has demonstrated that responses to homelessness, domestic and family violence, and social exclusion can be done differently and more effectively when dignity, compassion and the expertise of people with lived experience are at the centre. 

Her contributions have been recognised through many honours, including:

• Honorary Doctor of Social Work and Nursing, University of Queensland (2016)
• Member of the Order of Australia (AM) (2017)
  Queensland Great (2021)
• Honorary Professorship of Social Work, University of Queensland (2025)
• Recognition as a nominee for Senior Australian of the Year (2026)

Beyond these accolades, Karyn’s tenacity, generosity, and driven leadership have inspired people privileged enough to work alongside her.

Micah Projects began in the mid-1990s within the St Mary’s community in South Brisbane, grounded in the belief that faith and community can be powerful forces for justice, inclusion, and change. From responding to homelessness in the local community, supporting women naming and experiencing domestic violence, standing with survivors of abuse, and assisting people with disability to live in the community, to co-creating Young Mothers for Young Women. These early efforts underpin and shape the values that continue to guide our work today.

At the centre of every partnership and initiative Karyn has led are the people Micah Projects' exist to serve and respond to. The participants and communities who have shared their experiences, trusted us to walk alongside them, and contributed their voices to shaping services are the reason this work matters. Their resilience and dignity have driven every innovation, every reform, and every conversation advocating for better outcomes.

Karyn’s legacy will continue to guide us through the relationships she built, the systems she helped transform, and the lasting change she made possible.

Karyn is not someone who seeks celebration for herself, yet her impact has been profound. Many people will want to acknowledge the immense contribution she has made to Micah Projects and to the community.

Karen hopes to continue to be an advocate for social justice.