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Maxim Bishev

FOUNDER

Maxim Bishev is the founder and director of the Australian Centre for Objectivism. He is interested in how philosophical frameworks inform both personal and institutional choices.

He pursued academic philosophy after reading The Fountainhead , completing an accelerated Master of Bioethics at Monash University with a perfect GPA, preceded by a BA in philosophy. He is currently a PhD candidate in philosophy at the Australian National University, where his research engages with value theory, political philosophy, rights, and bioethics. His academic writing has been published in “Bioethics”, a leading international bioethics journal.

Maxim teaches undergraduate philosophy as a teaching associate and focuses on developing students’ skills in argumentation, conceptual analysis, and critical thinking. Apart from his academic work, he hosts long-form philosophical discussions on YouTube and participates in the Ayn Rand Institute’s Intellectual Incubator program.

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Humairaa Tarsoo

OPERATIONS LEAD & EVENTS ORGANISER

Humairaa leads operations at the Australian Centre for Objectivism, coordinating organisational activity to ensure its strategic vision is translated into objective value. She has over five years of experience across IT, marketing, and administrative projects, specialising in initiating and coordinating complex, multi-stage work.

Her professional path is marked by independence and a global outlook. She has pursued academic and professional opportunities across six countries, developing a versatile operational toolkit for navigating diverse industries and organisational challenges with precision and reliability.

Humairaa has studied Objectivism for nine years, including two years of formal study at Ayn Rand University and attendance at OCON. She views operations as the practical expression of productivity. Active in the Objectivist community, she co-organises Sydney meetups and ensures ACO’s infrastructure supports its mission with disciplined execution and long-term institutional focus and continuity.

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Stuart Sherwood

TECHNOLOGY LEAD & EVENTS ORGANISER

Stuart plays a central role in building the Objectivist community in Melbourne and supporting the advancement of Ayn Rand’s philosophy in Australia. He began studying Objectivism in 1996 after reading The Fountainhead and immersed himself in independent study, often working through university libraries and private reading.

He later moved to Melbourne to connect with a small but serious Objectivist community and deepen his engagement with the philosophy. Stuart studied in several online courses with Leonard Peikoff and remains a regular listener of theYaron Brook Show, maintaining long-standing involvement with contemporary Objectivist discourse.

Professionally, Stuart is a highly experienced user interface designer who has worked with major Australian companies on complex digital systems. Alongside his career, he organises and leads a small group of young Objectivists in Melbourne, meeting every three weeks for discussion, study, and intellectual development.

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Connor Lawrence

STRATEGIC ADVISOR

Connor advises colleagues at the Australian Centre for Objectivism and writes on Objectivism and its application to contemporary cultural and political issues. He is a Provisional Psychologist undertaking postgraduate psychology training at the University of Southern Queensland after completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Queensland.

He has several years of experience across the healthcare sector, including work as a Behaviour Support Practitioner supporting children and adults with psychological challenges, and as a Lifeline Crisis Supporter providing crisis intervention to individuals experiencing suicidal ideation and acute distress.

Connor discovered Objectivism after reading The Fountainhead in 2016 and has since studied Ayn Rand’s fiction and non-fiction works. He has spoken publicly on Objectivism and aims to apply it to foundational problems in psychology, including human nature, mental health, and philosophical influence.

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Jana Milutinovic

EVENTS ADVISOR

Jana Milutinovic is a product manager working across fintech and enterprise software, with over five years of experience building digital products in highly regulated environments. Her professional background spans superannuation, SaaS, and financial services, with a focus on product strategy, user-centred design, and translating complex systems into tools that support clear, individual decision-making.

She studied both Philosophy and Business IT at university and has read widely across classical and modern philosophical traditions. Through engagement with a range of ethical and political frameworks, she came to regard Objectivism as the most compelling both intellectually and practically. She is particularly drawn to its commitment to reason, individualism, and rational self-interest.

Jana views Objectivism as uniquely conducive to personal happiness, sustained productivity, and long-term success, and is interested in its application to professional life, technology, and individual flourishing.

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Oliver Charles Howarth

STUDENT OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Oliver Charles Howarth serves as Student Outreach Coordinator for the Australian Centre for Objectivism at the University of Melbourne, leading student engagement and campus initiatives introducing Ayn Rand’s philosophy to emerging Australian leaders and innovators.

He is currently pursuing a dual degree in Business Management and Chinese at the University of Melbourne. Having lived and studied in England and Spain, Oliver brings a global perspective shaped by interests in free enterprise, global markets, and the historical conditions that enable innovation and economic freedom.

Oliver discovered Objectivism in 2015 after rejecting ethical frameworks centred on sacrifice and collectivism. He has since engaged in sustained study of Rand’s works and their application to industry and trade. Active in the Objectivist community, he co-founded a student society and is developing a university forum dedicated to serious intellectual engagement.