Ronni Kahn

Early life and education Ronni Kahn was born and raised in Johannesburg in South Africa to Jewish parents, Abe Hellmann and his wife, Sylvia Hellmann (née Papilsky). Growing up, she lived next door to the activist Jules Browde and his wife, Selma, who were a source of inspiration for Kahn and later life-long friends of hers.

Inspiration On a holiday to South Africa, she was galvanised into action by a friend who had helped to bring electricity into the township of Soweto. Kahn recalls that was the moment her life of purpose began; she wanted to do something meaningful for other people. Building on her experience in corporate hospitality, she was shocked by the amount of food waste, although not initially aware of the relationship between food waste and environmental problems.

OzHarvest

Kahn founded OzHarvest in 2004, initially with the support of people in the restaurant and catering industries in Sydney. After lobbying for changes to civil liability and health legislation that prevented food donors from supplying excess food, the legislation was changed in four Australian states, starting in New South Wales in 2005. Kahn says OzHarvest "delivers the equivalent of 25 million meals a year that would otherwise be dumped".

In her advocacy, Kahn highlights the broader global issues affecting food waste. In 2017 OzHarvest for the fifth year partnered with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) on the "Think.Eat.Save" campaign. In December 2014 Ronni attended the Sustainable Innovation Forum in Lima, Peru, as part of the Think.Eat.Save campaign, which was held at the margins of the UNFCCC Climate Change Conference. The event served to remind delegates of the level that food waste contributes to dangerous greenhouse gases, which affect climate change, and the amount of resources squandered when food is wasted. In 2020, the chosen site for the OzHarvest Refettorio was announced as 481 Crown Street, Sydney.

In 2018, A biographical documentary film about Kahn's crusade to reduce food waste, Food Fighter, was released in 2018. It was produced and directed by Daniel Goldberg over two years and covers Kahn's efforts in Australia, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Thailand.

Since 2019, Kahn has also been involved with SA Harvest, the sister organisation of OzHarvest, in her native South Africa. Kahn sits on the board and appointed her childhood friend, Alan Bowde as CEO. In 2023, the organisation reached a milestone, having delivered over 50 million meals in the country.

In 2022, OzHarvest served its 50 millionth donated meal. In the same year, Kahn was invited to address the National Press Club of Australia.

In October 2024, Queen Camilla visited OzHarvest's restaurant in Surry Hills, with Kahn presenting the Queen with a small silver brooch with a crown.

In November 2024, she was nominated by Marie Claire (Australia) for "Icon of the Year" award with fellow nominees, Nicole Kidman and Emma McKeon.

Other activities She lived in Israel for 18 years and is a patron of the Australian branch of the New Israel Fund. In 2012, she and Martin Indyk became the inaugural patrons of branch. In February 2024, Kahn participated in a NIF discussion with Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins at Emanuel Synagogue in Sydney. They spoke about current challenges amid the October 7 attacks and the Gaza war.

Personal life She married her first husband, Des Kahn, from South Africa's Jewish community, on a kibbutz in Israel in 1972.

In 2005, she married Irving Wallach, a Sydney barrister.

Memoir Kahn's memoir, titled A Repurposed Life, was released in 2020.

Awards Ronni Kahn has been acknowledged as a leader in the fields of entrepreneurship, social impact and innovation. Her contributions have been widely recognised through numerous awards including:

2010 Australia's Local Hero, Australian of the Year Awards, in recognition of her work founding OzHarvest. 2010 Enriched List, American Express 2011 InStyle Woman of Style Award - Community /Charity category 2012 Veuve Clicquot Award Business Woman Tribute Award for Innovation, Entrepreneurial Skill and Contribution to the Community 2012 Ernst & Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 BOSS magazine Top 21 True Leaders 2017 Gourmet Traveller Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality 2017 Griffith University Doctor of the University (honoris causa) 2018 The Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence award for social enterprise and not-for-profit 2019 Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). For distinguished service to social welfare, particularly through the development and delivery of innovative programs.