A New Season for GraceWorks Myanmar: Honouring the Past, Embracing the Future

In 2004, GraceWorks Myanmar was born out of one man’s vision to bring hope and lasting change to a country he had grown to love. After his first visit to Myanmar in 2000, Peter Simmons—a retired Australian businessman—was deeply moved by the resilience and spirit of the people, despite the many challenges they faced. Motivated by compassion and conviction, Peter founded GraceWorks Myanmar with a simple yet profound mission: to serve, uplift, and walk alongside the people of Myanmar.

Over the past two decades, GraceWorks Myanmar has operated through seasons of hope and hardship. From political upheaval to natural disasters, the organisation has never wavered in its commitment to empower local communities, provide practical assistance, and promote sustainable transformation. At the heart of this work has always been the belief that change begins with people—empowered, equipped, and encouraged.

The organisation’s unique and effective approach did not go unnoticed. In his 2016 book Eyewitness to Early Reform in Myanmar, former Australian Ambassador Trevor Wilson noted:

“Possibly the most successful Australian NGO to be set up in this period is GraceWorks Myanmar, set up by retired Australian businessman Peter Simmons in Melbourne, which was able to operate effectively with a range of local partners in a variety of humanitarian and capacity-building fields in and around Yangon, with the approval of the Myanmar authorities, and largely without interference from them. Their activities were carried in the public eye, and often attracted publicity—in Myanmar and/or Australia—but this was low-key, modest publicity that offended nobody, but definitely helped fundraising. Some of these activities also received partial funding from the Australian aid program.”— Trevor Wilson, Eyewitness to Early Reform in Myanmar, p.124

One of the key figures who joined the journey early on was Nathan Porter, who first became involved with GraceWorks Myanmar in 2008. What began as a personal connection soon grew into a lifelong commitment. Over the past 17 years, Nathan has not only visited and supported Myanmar regularly but also lived there with his family from 2014 to 2021. During this time, he served as Director and Chairperson of GraceWorks Company Limited from 2018 to 2021, leading the organisation through significant seasons of growth and engagement.

Nathan's heart has always been with the people—particularly those living in marginalised and hard-to-reach communities. Beyond grassroots work, he has brought strategic leadership and global insight, engaging with international conglomerates, world banks, and a variety of global organisations. He is also the author of the internationally published book Kingdom Leadership, reflecting his passion for servant leadership and transformative impact.

As GraceWorks Myanmar enters a new chapter, we are thrilled to announce that, as of 01 April 2025, Nathan Porter will step into the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). His leadership, cross-cultural experience, and vision for sustainable development make him the ideal person to lead the organisation forward in this critical time.

We are also deeply thankful to Peter Simmons, our founder, who has faithfully led GraceWorks Myanmar for the past 21 years. His legacy is woven into every aspect of the organisation, from its core values to the relationships nurtured across Myanmar. While Peter is stepping down as CEO, he will continue to serve as Chairperson, providing wisdom, support, and continuity as the organisation transitions into this new season.

This leadership handover comes at a particularly challenging time for Myanmar, following the recent devastating earthquake. However, this transition has allowed us to respond more swiftly and effectively to those in need. With Nathan stepping in, we are positioned to offer greater support and agility in delivering aid and relief to affected communities.

Looking ahead, we are filled with hope and anticipation. GraceWorks Myanmar is not just an organisation—it is a community of people committed to walking together through both hardship and healing. We believe this new season under Nathan’s leadership will bring fresh vision, renewed energy, and continued faithfulness to our calling.

To all our partners, supporters, and friends—we are grateful for your ongoing commitment. Together, we will continue to stand with the people of Myanmar and pursue a future marked by peace, dignity, and transformation.

GraceWorks Myanmar

Serving with Purpose. Walking with People. Building for Change.