Tech leaders join Vinnies CEO Sleepout for homelessness aid

Leaders from the IT sector will be among business and community figures participating in the upcoming Vinnies CEO Sleepout to support the St Vincent de Paul Society's homelessness services.

This year marks two decades since the inception of the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, which involves company heads and senior executives spending a night outdoors to highlight the realities of homelessness and raise funds in response.

Anthony Woodward of Logicalis Australia, Andrew Groth of Infosys, and Sean Smith of IVE Group are listed among the technology industry leaders taking part in the 2025 event.

The St Vincent de Paul Society states that more than 122,000 individuals are currently experiencing homelessness across Australia, with approximately 35,000 of those individuals located within New South Wales.

Funds gathered from the event help the Society offer a range of support, including food, housing, healthcare, bespoke case management, and other assistance tailored to the unique needs of those who are homeless or at risk.

The organisation operates more than 100 programs and services around New South Wales, with many of these dependent on the financial support generated through the annual CEO Sleepout. In the past year, the Society provided support to 11,800 people via its homelessness, housing, health, community, and inclusion services.

Niamh Mannion, Acting CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, emphasised the breadth of industries represented in the event and its collective aim. "The Vinnies CEO Sleepout brings together people from a variety of backgrounds and industries in the name of a shared purpose: working to take action on homelessness," said Ms Mannion.

She added that participation over the years has helped shift perspectives and encouraged leaders to advocate for more just outcomes. "We've seen so many people take part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout over the past two decades gain a greater understanding of homelessness and how they can use their positions of influence to push for a more just society where people have the safety of a home."

Ms Mannion also acknowledged the ongoing support received by the initiative. "The continued support the event has received over the years has been heartening and we look forward to welcoming new participants who can play a part in ensuring that our services can meet the need that exist now and going forward," she said.

The 2025 Vinnies CEO Sleepout will be held on Thursday 19 June at multiple locations across Australia, with New South Wales events set to take place in Sydney, Newcastle, and Wollongong.

The annual event is open to Chief Executives and senior leaders, who are encouraged to register and contribute to the initiative.