CASE STUDY
ABV and NAB's co-designed Customer Strategy Challenges are a powerful example of how skilled volunteering delivers tangible outcomes for community partners, while providing meaningful development for corporate teams.
The most recent challenge was delivered in partnership with Clothing The Gaps (CTG), a majority Aboriginal-owned social enterprise and community brand. Over nine days, 11 skilled volunteers from NAB worked alongside the CTG team to co-design a comprehensive three-year strategy for sustainable growth — resulting in a 40-slide strategic presentation, a 68-page report and 11 supporting documents filled with business insights, operational recommendations and a practical implementation plan.
The strategy gave Clothing The Gaps the clarity and structure to move forward with confidence. It is already guiding decision-making and supporting new opportunities for growth.
"We refer to the strategy in every decision — it brought clarity, focus and real momentum." – Laura, Clothing The Gaps
For Tina Huynh, one of the NAB employees who took part, the experience strengthened her leadership and cultural awareness, while building lasting connections through purpose-led collaboration.
"I've walked away a more engaged colleague, a stronger leader and an even more committed ally." – Tina Huynh, NAB
Together, NAB, ABV and Clothing The Gaps built more than a strategy — they built mutual respect, deep connection and a model for values-aligned, community-driven partnerships.
Over the past three weeks, a dedicated team of NAB employees and local business representatives have been immersed in the Community Strategy Challenge (CSC) in Singleton NSW, delivered as part of the NAB Foundations’ Regional Economic Resilience Pilot Program. Working alongside our community partners, Singleton Council and Business Singleton, the team were tasked with developing […]
CEO Authored thought piece published by Better Boards 2 July 2025 What is ESG? ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles and practices are significant factors for investors and members to consider when determining a company’s ethical value. Adherence to ESG frameworks is increasingly important for a company’s sustainability and for retaining its social license to […]
Responsible for leading NAB’s first operational teams in India in 2014, Tina gained an appetite for working across cultures to build deep lasting connections and change. Thinking about it for some five years, Tina says it wasn’t until the stars aligned through NAB’s partnership with the First Nations development organisation, Jawun, that this expression fully […]
This week, @bankaust is kicking off its first ever Skilled Volunteering Program with a cohort of employees from across the business. The team of Bank Australia skilled volunteers will spend five days working closely with First Australians Capital (FAC). FAC supports Indigenous enterprises to grow their businesses by providing access to finance, networks and market opportunities. The […]
Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) is thrilled to partner with the Centre for Humanitarian Leadership (CHL) and Deakin University to explore how communities can lead their own disaster recovery with the support of skilled volunteers and local businesses. Alongside Deakin University, CHL will be joining us on the journey to research how corporate volunteering can help […]
Last week, 11 NAB skilled volunteers presented their Community Strategy Challenge final report to Clothing The Gaps. The report outlined a three-year strategic plan to support future sustainability for the majority First Nations-owned business and social enterprise. NAB colleague Tara Tubman says, “a rewarding experience and genuine opportunity to give back to our community in […]
Last week, a group of NAB colleagues volunteered their expertise for a nine-day community strategy challenge for Clothing The Gaps. Clothing The Gaps is a vibrant community brand celebrating Aboriginal people and culture and is a majority Aboriginal-owned business and social enterprise. For this Community Strategy Challenge, the NAB skilled volunteer team aims to develop […]
The night before virtually interviewing ABV mentor David Campbell and mentee Moana Korikalo, a 6.5-scale earthquake hit Vanuatu. Despite being woken up by her home shaking in the night, Moana showed up on time to chat with us with a positive attitude. "That's who Moana is; she always follows through on her commitments," David remarked. […]
