“I am pleased to lead the Larita Academy because young people are amazing and they deserve our service, commitment and love. Partnering with such esteemed colleagues in the industry is humbling and inspiring. I really hope we bring something of value to Victoria through our collaborative work.”
Social Impact Leader | Strategist | Advocate for Equitable Opportunity
Anita Pahor is a Melbourne-based social impact leader, strategist, and advocate for equitable opportunity. She is widely respected for her work empowering communities—particularly young people—through sustainable education, employment pathways, and purpose-driven corporate social responsibility.
Anita is the Founder and Managing Director of Larita Academy, an innovative training program supporting at-risk young people to build confidence, employability skills, and entrepreneurial capability. Under her leadership, Larita Academy has become a vibrant, values-led community that helps young people identify their strengths, forge meaningful pathways into work, and build positive connections with industry.
She is also the Co-Founder and CEO of Mind Your Monkey Psychology, a practice focused on supporting mental wellbeing through compassionate, community-led care.
Before founding her current ventures, Anita spent more than a decade with the Australian Red Cross, where she led content creation and later headed the organisation’s female philanthropy program. In that role, she helped scale the Society of Women Leaders into one of Australia’s largest female giving circles, significantly increasing support for humanitarian initiatives in Australia and internationally.
In late 2024, through conversations with senior leaders across Australian sport, Anita identified a significant gap: the absence of a dedicated forum for senior women executives to connect, collaborate, and collectively strengthen the sector. In response, she convened an inaugural gathering in 2025, bringing together some of the most senior women across Australian sport. The success of this meeting led to the creation of Femina Dux Ludi (FDL)—a trusted, ego-free forum grounded in unity, stewardship, and courageous leadership, dedicated to advancing equity and excellence across the sporting landscape.
Anita also serves as Philanthropy & CSR Director at LK Group, where she leads strategic social impact initiatives and champions diversity, inclusion, and corporate responsibility. She has contributed to the National Basketball League’s Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group, supporting reconciliation and inclusion efforts across sport and business.
Alongside her professional roles, Anita is deeply engaged in community service. She is a member of the Global Campaign Advisory Committee at The Fred Hollows Foundation, a Special Adviser to the Melbourne Writers Festival, and a supporter and volunteer with the Raise Foundation, where she helped establish the Ripples Giving Circle and launched the Melbourne chapter in 2025. She is also the founder of the Agape Book Club, a reflective community centred on wisdom, personal growth, and shared learning.
Throughout her career, Anita has been guided by a clear belief: that people flourish when they are seen, supported, and given opportunity. Her work reflects a blend of strategic leadership, compassion, and a sustained commitment to creating spaces where individuals—especially young Australians—can thrive.