Elevations Laos

The Partnership

Founder of elevations Laos & The spellbrook foundation, Gary Stafford

Stella co-founder Khouanfa Siriphone

Stella co-Founder, Souphaphone Dangmany

Elevations Laos was founded by Gary Stafford of The Spellbrook Foundation (ACN 603 929 871). Spellbrook provides assistance to communities in developing countries with a focus on Laos.

Gary was the founding Managing Director of PanAust Limited which, through its subsidiary Phu Bia Mining, became a major contributor to Lao GDP and the improvement of regional infrastructure, skills and livelihoods. Under Gary’s leadership, PanAust grew from a junior exploration company to an S&P/ASX 100 company.

Gary left PanAust in November 2014 and founded Spellbrook in early 2015.  http://www.spellbrook.com

Co-founded by Souphaphone Dangmany and Khouanfa Siriphone, STELLA is a Lao-based social enterprise that empowers youth through creativity, leadership, and participatory learning. STELLA has led and supported numerous cultural and creative initiatives, including the UNESCO-funded MOOM Project and the Emerging Artist Fair. In 2024, STELLA hosted the YSEALI Summit on Creative Economy in Luang Prabang, bringing together 100 young change makers from across Southeast Asia.

As a local partner of Elevations Laos, STELLA provides facilitation and administrative support for capacity building, regional exchanges, exhibitions, and public programs.

Elevations Laos is a partnership comprising Australian registered charities: The Spellbrook Foundation Fund and the Global Development Group; and their Lao registered partner STELLA.

  1. THE SPELLBROOK FOUNDATION FUND (ABN 71 502 819 388) is a registered private charity in Australia and is the Australian funding partner.  Spellbrook coordinates funding, volunteers and communicates issues while co-partnering with Global Development Group in supervising the project. 
  2. GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT GROUP (ABN 57 102 400 993) is a registered public charity in Australia and is responsible for managing, protecting and stewardship of the Australian Government’s interest in the project and is accountable to its various departments[1]. GDG will maintain general oversight; accounting for and transfer of funds; monitoring, evaluating, and ensuring promotional compliance of the project.
  3. STELLA is the In-Country Partner and is registered in Laos as a Social Venture.  STELLA implements and locally manages the project in regards to accountability for the funds sent through GDG, regular reporting, complaints handling, and informing Spellbrook and GDG of news and any major issues relating to the project.

[1] Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT); Australian Taxation Office (ATO): Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC); Australian Council for International Aid and Development (ACFID)