Matt Pfahlert

Matt Pfahlert is a globally recognised social entrepreneur and field builder for rural entrepreneurship. He founded his first social enterprise in 1993, earning Young Australian of the Year in 1996. In 2013, he co-founded ACRE to drive the renewal of Australia’s rural communities so future generations may thrive. In 2016, Matt led the community buy-back of the Old Beechworth Gaol. Famed for its connection to Ned Kelly, the site is being repurposed as an exemplar for social enterprise, impact investment and community-led rejuvenation. ACRE hosted the Rural Gathering in association with SEWF in 2022 and co-convened the Rural Manifesto for Social Enterprise.