Since her graduation from Sheldon College in 2014, Milly’s path has been a mix of curiosity, trial and error, and following the threads of what felt meaningful to her at the time. Professionally, Milly has moved through media, partnerships, healthcare, and social impact. All of which led her to found ALLKND, a youth-led mental health charity. Personally, it’s been a period of growing up in real time, with navigating independence, living overseas, building relationships, and figuring out what kind of life she wanted to build, particularly around chronic illness (endometriosis) and not just what looks good on paper.   

Following her Sheldon College graduation, Milly didn't have a perfectly mapped-out plan, but she knew she had always been drawn to storytelling and people, which is what led her to studying a Bachelor of Media & Communication, majoring in Journalism. During her study, Milly had the opportunity to study abroad in the United States, completing a journalism program in Communication and Media Studies. This decision came from a mix of curiosity and a push to do something that felt uncomfortable and new. Milly hadn't spent much time in the US, and she didn't know anyone there, so it was quite a leap for her. Being away from home for an extended period was quite challenging, especially the loneliness at times, and the pressure of building a life from scratch in a new place. This opportunity gave Milly a new level of independence and perspective that she doesn't think she could have gained any other way.   

After completing her studies, Milly moved through a number of roles, mainly in media as a freelancer, that each shaped a different part of how she works. All eventually led her to founding ALLKND. The idea came from noticing a gap, which was young people wanting to support each other with mental health, but not always having the tools or language to do so. ALLKND started by building peer-to-peer mental health first aid training, and it's grown into a broader community and movement focused on connection, education and advocacy. Through this work, Milly has had the chance to partner with organisations like Instagram, Pinterest, and Lululemon; travel for speaking and media opportunities and connect with people she deeply admires across different industries.   

One of the more surreal moments for Milly was being invited to interview the Prime Minister (Anthony Albanese) and attend the Federal Budget lock-up. This experience felt like a full circle moment, as Milly was now sitting inside spaces that she had learnt about in Year 7 Humanities but now sitting there to translate and community and what it all means for young people.   

This same year Milly won a Marie Claire Woman of the Year Award for “Breaking barriers in media and youth mental health advocacy” and launching ALLKND’s social volunteering initiative “Cause Club” in response to the Gen Z loneliness epidemic.   

Throughout her career, some of Milly’s proudest moments and highlights include building ALLKND from the ground up, reaching thousands of young people and speaking on stages she once dreamed of stepping onto. As well as seeing people use the tools ALLKND has taught them to support a friend and watching that community show up for each other in genuine ways.   

Milly reflected on her years since graduation, and that they haven't always been linear or easy. She has faced burn out, self-doubt, financial pressure, and the constant pressure of trying to build something meaningful while also sustaining yourself. Milly has had to learn how to ask for help, how to set boundaries, and how to keep going without pretending everything is fine all the time. A lot of her growth has come from those harder seasons rather than the wins.   

Milly’s advice for someone considering studying overseas is to do it for the experience, not just the outcomes. Also, to know that the journey won't always be comfortable, and it won't always look like the version you have imagined, but it will stretch you in ways that stay with you long after you return home. Milly added that the best advice she has ever received is to pay attention to what energises you, not just what you're good at. The two don't always overlap. But when they do, that's usually a good sign you're heading in the right direction. Finally, Milly reflected that if she could speak to her Year 12 self, she would say not to worry about having it all figured out yet. The pressure to choose the ‘right’ path is so loud at that stage, but in reality, most paths are built step by step, not decided all at once.   

We wish Milly all the best in her future endeavours and can’t wait to see what else she achieves with ALLKND!