About
Who we are
Culture Spring is a social enterprise powered by the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY).
We connect organisations with multicultural young people giving you direct access to trusted community networks, lived-experience expertise, and professional project delivery.
Over 48% of young people in Australia have at least one parent born overseas. This generation is the most culturally diverse in the nation's history, yet their voices remain underrepresented in the decisions that shape their lives. We can help organisations hear the voice of 48% of the population they may not be aware of.
Our Mission
We work across government, corporate, education and community organisations to close the gap between the lived experience of multicultural young people and the decisions made about them.
Vision
To create a future where multicultural young people are structurally embedded as co-creators of policy, business, and workplace decisions.
Culture Spring is a “profit for purpose” social enterprise. Revenue from our work funds programs supporting multicultural young people across Victoria. You get the engagement you need, and the return goes back to supporting the work we do.
Meet the Team
Daniel Shields
Enterprise Growth Manager
Daniel Shields (he/him) is the Enterprise Growth Manager at the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY), where he supports the organisation to build meaningful partnerships with like-minded organisations and develop new services that drive greater social impact for young people.
Over the last year 7 years in the not-for-profit (NFP) and social enterprise sector, Daniel has worked across organisations focused on homelessness, disability, employment, and broader social enterprise initiatives. Prior to transitioning into the NFP space, his experience was in the corporate sector, bringing a blend of commercial acumen and community-focused purpose to his current work.
Daniel holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), a Master of International and Community Development, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), alongside additional certifications including a Cert IV in Training and Assessment. This combination of qualifications & experience underpins his ability to bridge strategic development, community impact, and organisational leadership.
Nahshon Neru
Project Lead
Nahshon, or Nahsh (he/him), is the Project Lead for Culture Spring. He coordinates the unit as a whole, works on the development of the business and systems internally, and connects with key partners to help deliver the future we are trying to build.
Nahsh has a long background in community and creative projects, is a graphic designer, and an absolute fiend for basketball. Born in Samoa and growing up in Aotearoa New Zealand, he is incredibly passionate about creating systems of change for multicultural young people, and making them realise how powerful, beautiful, and meaningful they are to the communities they come from and the communities they find.
Ikram Mahamed
Project Officer
Ikram Mahamed (she/her) is a youth advocate passionate about community-led change. She is a Project Officer at Culture Spring.
With a Bachelor of Public Health and experience across grassroots initiatives and youth leadership, Ikram brings an intersectional lens to every space she’s in. She also sits on the boards of YLab and CALM Youth, contributing lived experience and strategic insight to programs focused on equity, access and youth voice.
Ikram is committed to building systems that reflect and serve the communities they claim to represent - through policy, programs, and most importantly, people.
Ali Al Lawati
Business Development Support
Ali Al Lawati (he/him) is a youth advocate and community leader passionate about creating inclusive spaces where young people can shape the decisions that impact their lives. He works in the Business Development & Innovation team at the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY), where he works across youth engagement, training, strategy and community partnerships.
With a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and experience spanning governance, advocacy and community development, Ali brings both strategic thinking and a strong commitment to social impact. He is the Chairperson of the Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic) and has contributed to initiatives focused on multicultural communities, youth participation and equitable outcomes for young people.
Ali is committed to strengthening the connection between communities, organisations and decision-makers, ensuring diverse young people are not only heard but meaningfully involved in shaping systems, services and the future of their communities.
Get involved
There are two ways to work with us. If you're an organisation looking to book a service, head to What We Do page or fill out our contact form. If you're a young person interested in becoming a speaker or a community organisation wanting to refer someone, get in touch below.
About CMY
Culture Spring is powered by the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY).
CMY has been working with multicultural young people and communities since 1988. That matters when you are choosing who to trust with a conversation this sensitive. Our work is youth-informed, strengths-based, and grounded in diversity, inclusion and anti-racism. At CMY, we all play a part in shaping systems, attitudes and behaviours that create the society we all deserve.