Jennifer Star

Jennifer Star (nee Purcell) founded an International Education NGO, Tara.Ed at the age of 20. Now in its fifth year, Tara.Ed reaches out to over 1,500 underprivileged children in rural and remote areas of India. By focusing on teachers rather than students, Tara.Ed aims to promote sustainability in education by building star teachers to help students shine. Jennifer’s passion for India was ignited after being selected as a World Vision Youth Ambassador to India in 2004. She has since returned to India on numerous occasions; including a three month stint living and working in the slums of Jaipur and an 18-month placement in Bangalore designing and implementing values education and life-skills programs for urban street children.

As a result of her achievements, in 2007 Jennifer was selected as one of only 75 Goldman Sachs Global Leaders worldwide. She is also the recipient of an Order of Australia Commendation Medallion for service to the global and local community as well as being named a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow andthe NSW Young Australian of the Year for 2012.