Volunteer Roles
As a volunteer, Mahlab has served in numerous leadership and governance positions across philanthropic, cultural, and social justice organisations.
She has been Chair of the Australian Art Orchestra and served as a Board member 2016-2025) and Chair of Victoria University's Sir Zelman Cowen Centre (2019 - 2021).
Her previous board positions include The Charities Crisis Cabinet (2020-2022) founding Board Member of the Public Interest Journalism Initiative (2017-2021), Board member of the Reichstein Foundation (2015-2019), Ten20 Foundation (2014), Jewish Aid Australia (2008-2012), and the National Council of Jewish Women Foundation Victoria (2007-2015).
Mahlab was a long-term board member (2002-2012) and later Ambassador (2012-present) for the Australian Communities Foundation, where she initiated and chaired the MacroMelbourne Initiative (2006-2011), which directed over $2 million to projects addressing urban disadvantage.
More recently (2025) she has been involved with the Southside Community Foundation to facilitate their growth in her local community.
Memberships/ Past Memberships:
Member - Mannifera
Member : International Women's Forum
Member Philanthropy Australia
Member - Impact Club
Advisor - Southside Community Foundation - 2025
As a community-led and independent organisation, SCF aims to serve as a bridge — connecting local generosity, knowledge, and partnerships with the needs and opportunities within our neighbourhoods. From tackling disadvantage and social exclusion to supporting environmental sustainability and celebrating local culture, SCF is about empowering the people who call this place home.
Co- Founder #WaitingOnZuck Campaign - 2021 - 2022
In March 2022, #WaitingOnZuck was launched as a bold, coordinated campaign to demand fair treatment for small and mid-sized public interest journalism publishers under Australia’s News Media Bargaining Code. While major media outlets—including News Corp, Nine, and the ABC—had successfully secured deals with Google and Meta for the use of their journalism, many smaller and independent publishers were excluded from negotiations and left uncompensated for their content appearing on the platforms.
Advisory Board - Chair – Sir Zelman Cowen Centre
January 2019 – April 2021
The Sir Zelman Cowen Centre at Victoria University provides legal education, training, and research, focusing on law and cultural diversity.
Karen oversaw the Centre’s celebrations for Sir Zelman Cowen’s 100th birthday anniversary, representing the Centre at major events, including the annual Orations with The Hon Josh Frydenberg MP and The Hon Kenneth Hayne AC QC in 2019 and 2020
Melbourne Leadership Group – The Funding Network 2013 – 2014
The Funding Network (TFN) brings people together to support grassroots social change programs that help people in need.
Trustee – National Council of Jewish Women Foundation (VIC)
January 2007 – April 2015
The Foundation empowers women, champions gender equity, and builds relationships within the Jewish and wider community.
Chair – Grants Committee – Australian Communities Foundation
February 2010 – February 2012
Karen chaired the Grants Committee, overseeing the allocation of funds to various initiatives supporting community development and resilience.
Board Member – Australian Art Orchestra 2016 – 2025 9 years
The Australian Art Orchestra (AAO) explores the meeting points between disciplines and cultures, with an emphasis on improvisation. Founded by Paul Grabowsky AO in 1994, AAO is one of Australia’s leading contemporary ensembles. Under the leadership of Aaron Choulai, the AAO stretches genres and breaks down barriers between art and popular music, electronic and acoustic approaches, and improvised and notated forms.
Member Charities Crisis Cabinet (COVID) 2020 - 2022
The Charities Crisis Cabinet met for the first time on Tuesday, 31 March 2020. The Cabinet was co-Chaired by Rev Tim Costello AO and Susan Pascoe AM and drew on the leadership and experience of leaders from across the breadth of the 57,000 strong charities sector. It sought to enable charities to support their communities through the Covid-19 pandemic, especially those most vulnerable to increased harm, and ensure as many charities as possible can effectively contribute to building flourishing communities after the crisis. The Charities Crisis Cabinet drew on the experience, knowledge and networks of 20 leaders from across the diversity of the charities sector to highlight issues and consider responses.
Ambassador – Australian Communities Foundation
October 2012 – Present
Australian Communities Foundation supports individuals, families, and organizations in giving back to the community. The foundation pools donations into philanthropic funds that support charitable projects and help build resilient communities.
Board Member – Australian Communities Foundation
January 2002 – February 2012
Australian Communities Foundation offers a structured way for individuals and organizations to give back to the community, supporting charitable projects and building resilient communities.
Board Member – Ten20 Foundation
2014 – 2015
The Ten20 Foundation focused on funding community-led solutions to help vulnerable children across Australia. It aimed to spend down its $10 million corpus over a 10-year period.
Ambassador and Network Partner – Better Futures Australia
2020 – Present
Better Futures Australia amplifies climate work by bringing together public and private sector leaders to scale successful initiatives and demonstrate Australia’s readiness for a national response to climate change.
Founding Board Member - Public Interest Journalism Initiative (PIJI)
2017 – 2021 4 years
Advocating for a Sustainable Future for Public Interest Journalism. In 2018, the Public Interest Journalism Initiative (PIJI) was established as a Not for Profit to ensure that public interest journalism in Australia remains sustainable and diverse. Founded by a coalition of advocates, including Karen Mahlab AM, PIJI has since become a trusted voice in media policy, conducting rigorous research, shaping submissions, and presenting to key government inquiries.
Advisory Panel Member – IMPACT-Australia: Investment for Social and Economic Benefit Report
October 2012 – April 2013
Karen served as a member of the advisory panel for the DEEWR and JBWere collaboration that launched a report on impact investing in Australia, establishing a foundation for the sector that now holds a market worth over $2 trillion globally.
Learn More.
Board Member – Jewish Aid Australia (now Stand Up)
January 2008 – February 2012
Jewish Aid Australia (now Stand Up) focuses on supporting vulnerable communities and promoting social justice.
Learn More.
Board Member – Reichstein Foundation
February 2015 – June 2019
The Reichstein Foundation supports social, economic, and environmental justice initiatives in Australia. During her time on the board, Karen helped initiate the Reichstein Social Change Award and co-create Mannifera, a network of philanthropists supporting democracy and fairness in Australia.
Learn More.
Board Member – Australian Communities Foundation
January 2002 – February 2012
Australian Communities Foundation offers a structured way for individuals and organizations to give back to the community, supporting charitable projects and building resilient communities.
