– Giancarlo de Vera –

Giancarlo de Vera (they/he) identifies as LGBTIQ+, queer, non-binary and a person of colour with disability. They are a passionate advocate for disability, multiculturalism, racial justice, LGBTIQ+ affairs and cultural diversity. Giancarlo was recently named as one of the 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australians of 2021 and as one of Pro Bono Australia’s Impact 25, a list recognising the social sector’s most influential people in 2022 for their significant and positive impact in Australia and overseas.

Giancarlo is a trained lawyer, and currently leads policy and advocacy at People with Disability Australia (PWDA), the national cross-disability peak body that represents Australians with disability. He has previous experience in politics, international affairs and diplomacy, including at the United Nations, as well as international development.

Outside of PWDA, Giancarlo is also the inaugural Secretary of the Disabled Australian Lawyers Association, and Treasurer of the Australian Centre for Disability Law. Until very recently, Giancarlo was the President of the Australian GLBTI Multicultural Council, Australia’s peak body that represents LGBTIQ+ people from multicultural and multi-faith backgrounds.