Sarah Janali is an accomplished community strategist with an MA in Community Development and over fifteen years’ experience working in local government. Sarah has worked at senior levels in WAs most culturally diverse LGAs building intercultural capability and leading the development of strategies, services and projects that focus newcomer inclusion and cultural diversity.
Some of Sarah’s professional achievements have included establishing the award-winning Kaleidoscope Initiative, leading the development of the City of Stirling’s first Multicultural Framework and the Canning’s Hillview Intercultural Community Centre which was recognised at the 2022 National Local Government Awards. In 2015 Sarah was awarded a Churchill Fellowship which enabled her to undertake research in the US, Canada and Europe on successful local government approaches for facilitating the inclusion of newcomers.
On a personal level marrying into the Afghan-Australian diaspora and raising children in an intercultural family has deepened Sarah’s appreciation for the diversity of human experience that characterises multicultural Australia. Along with her professional work Sarah has played an active role supporting and mentoring young leaders in Perth’s Afghan community.
Sarah currently works as a freelance consultant delivering community development training and helping organisations work effectively with their diverse communities to achieve positive social outcomes.