our story

Give Where You Live Foundation meets The Difference incubator.

After more than 30 combined years of experience in place-based economic development, and deep frustration at the inability to significantly shift the dial with traditional methods, Annie and Bill formed a partnership and began exploring what alternative solutions exist globally. They came across many global initiatives and conversations including The Wellbeing Economy, Community Wealth Building, as well as economists like Kate Raworth and Mariana Mazzucato who were telling alternative stories.

Neighbourhood Economics was initially incubated within the Give Where You Live Foundation, where Bill was CEO, and The Difference incubator, where Annie was CEO.

In Neighbourhood Economics, Annie and Bill combine their strengths to drive deeper economic transformation. Together, they are reimagining local economies to be more inclusive, resilient, and equitable.

Bill Mithen

Bill has spent the past 13 years leading the Give Where You Live Foundation, a place-based community foundation dedicated to building a better, fairer society across the G21 region. Under his leadership, the foundation has launched initiatives that tackle economic disadvantage and drive systemic change.

At Give Where You Live, Bill has championed initiatives like GROW, which addresses long-term joblessness through social procurement. GROW has created hundreds of jobs, influenced Victoria’s social procurement policy, and reshaped conversations around place-based disadvantage. Another key initiative, The Paddock, an urban farm, explores community-owned assets and inclusive business models while supporting disability programs.

Committed to regional inclusive growth, Bill has held multiple leadership roles, including Chair of the G21 Geelong Region Alliance, Tourism Geelong & Bellarine, and G-Force Employment Group & Recruitment. Bill also served on the board of Barwon Region Partnerships, leveraging his extensive connections to foster collaboration and impact.

Annie Smits

Annie has spent over a decade leading The Difference Incubator (TDi), driving social enterprise development to empower economically excluded groups – particularly Indigenous entrepreneurs across Australia and the Pacific.

Under Annie’s leadership, TDi has strengthened entrepreneurial ecosystems and supply chains, working alongside local leaders to create businesses, unlock opportunities, and establish new pathways to market.

Annie has championed an approach that nurtures businesses, innovative ideas, and alternative economic models that plant the seeds for a better future – one that is fair, regenerative, inclusive. Her work challenges the deep inequalities embedded in economic systems – particularly those tied to gender, race, and geography – while asking a critical question: What is the role of business and finance in addressing structural inequality?

NEIGHBOURHOOD ECONOMICS CO CEOs

Bill Mithen

Bill has spent the past 13 years leading the Give Where You Live Foundation, a place-based community foundation dedicated to building a better, fairer society across the G21 region. Under his leadership, the foundation has launched initiatives that tackle economic disadvantage and drive systemic change.

At Give Where You Live, Bill has championed initiatives like GROW, which addresses long-term joblessness through social procurement. GROW has created hundreds of jobs, influenced Victoria’s social procurement policy, and reshaped conversations around place-based disadvantage. Another key initiative, The Paddock, an urban farm, explores community-owned assets and inclusive business models while supporting disability programs.

Committed to regional inclusive growth, Bill has held multiple leadership roles, including Chair of the G21 Geelong Region Alliance, Tourism Geelong & Bellarine, and G-Force Employment Group & Recruitment. Bill also served on the board of Barwon Region Partnerships, leveraging his extensive connections to foster collaboration and impact.

e. bill@nheconomics.org.au | ph. +61 419 302 650