Born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1976, Paul Newnham’s life and career have been shaped by a deep sense of purpose, global curiosity, and an unwavering belief that systems should work for people , especially those most often left behind. Raised across Australia, South Asia, and Africa, Paul grew up seeing both the possibilities and failures of food, development, and governance systems firsthand; experiences that would later define his professional path. Meeting his now wife when he was 17, his future quickly became centred around preparing for a life of adventure, curiosity, service, and development.
Paul began his career serving in the Australian Army Reserves (Combat Engineers), developing leadership, resilience, and technical skills while completing a Bachelor of Arts (Indigenous Studies) and a Bachelor of Theology (Missiology and World Religions). He later earned a Master’s in International Development, focusing on HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, further cementing his commitment to global justice.
In 2002, shortly after welcoming his first child with his wife Keren, Paul joined World Vision Australia, launching what would become a 15-year global leadership journey. His work spanned public engagement, marketing, people management, and international development across Australia, Chile, New Zealand, the United States, Latin America, and East Africa. Alongside Keren, and with their growing family – Noah, Tia, Indi, and Ty – Paul built a life defined by shared adventure, service, and curiosity about the world. Living, travelling, and working with his family across 6 continents, the family spent many years learning about other cultures, each other, and fostering communities everywhere they went.
While working in Kenya, Paul helped shape the Hunger Free movement, deepening his focus on food systems as a foundation for resilience, dignity, and opportunity. This work reinforced a central insight that would become a hallmark of his career: hunger is not inevitable; it is the result of choices, priorities, and power.
In 2016, Paul joined the World Food Programme in Rome. What began as a modest role quickly evolved into something far bigger. His work helped launch #HealthyNotHungry in Peru, developed with government partners, UN agencies, and leading chefs, using culture and storytelling to drive behaviour change. This experience sparked a bold idea: what if global advocacy for ending hunger was coordinated, creative, and relentlessly action-oriented?
In 2017, Paul founded the SDG2 Advocacy Hub, bringing that idea to life. Under his leadership, the Hub has grown into a globally trusted connector and catalyst, working across UN agencies, governments, civil society, chefs, youth, and the private sector to advance food systems transformation. Flagship initiatives include The Chefs’ Manifesto (now engaging nearly 2,000 chefs in over 100 countries), Good Food For All, Beans is How (yes – Paul has a beans tattoo!), Hungry 4 Action, Climate Conscious Catering, and Forests 4 Food. The Hub has played a key role in shaping global narratives and supporting platforms such as the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.
Paul is widely recognised as a compelling speaker, moderator, and thought leader, delivering two TEDx talks, appearing across global media, and speaking to audiences ranging from intimate policy forums to more than 50,000 people on stage. Yet those who work most closely with him know that his greatest pride remains his family, and the values they share around the dinner table, in the garden, and in the way they show up for one another.
Now in its ninth year, the SDG2 Advocacy Hub reflects Paul’s belief that ending hunger is ultimately about leadership, courage, and collective action, and that real change happens when people are trusted, stories are shared, and systems are challenged to do better.
