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Belinda Drew
CEO
Belinda Drew is the CEO of Foresters Community Finance Ltd, a Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) pioneering the development of community finance and social investment in Australia. Belinda has more than fifteen years experience in the non-profit and social enterprise sectors in Australia in the areas of homelessness, child protection, disability and young people combined with many years experience in the fields of finance and investment. Bringing these skills and insights together Belinda is committed to the development of a social capital market in Australia that creates financial inclusion for individuals, social enterprises and non-profits.
Belinda has led the development of a range on new initiatives in Foresters including Fair Finance Australia, a microfinance program for individuals experiencing financial exclusion and the development of an innovative investment fund for social enterprises delivered through the Social Enterprise Solutions program. Through her work at Foresters Belinda sees a future where there in increased knowledge about community finance and social investment and action that reflects a commitment to see this work grow in Australia. |
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Sandra Nugent
Manager Strategy & Policy
Sandra joined Foresters in March 2011 and brings with her over 15 years senior management experience in a broad range of non-profit organisations, providing particular insight into non-profit organisations and the challenges they face. In this time, Sandra has developed a particular interest in social enterprise and social investment.
“A Community Development Finance Institution, Foresters Community Finance is a leader in overcoming financial exclusion for individuals, non-profit organisations and social enterprises. This is a very exciting development in Australia and of course for Foresters. A great time to be part of an innovative team”. |
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Ben Pennings
Manager, Community Asset Building
Ben joined Foresters in August 2011 and has responsibility for the Community Asset Building program. Ben comes to Foresters with 20 years experience in the human services and environmental sectors including senior management roles for a diverse range of community organisations. Ben’s experience on boards and working for community organisations in a number of sectors gives him the broad knowledge needed to assist varied organisations secure their future through asset ownership. Ben combines his passion for community with a creative streak and also works as a freelance writer, focusing on social justice and environmental issues. |
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Karyn Prowse
Administration Officer
Karyn joined the Foresters team in May 2011. She possesses experience in both administration and accounts and has a keen curiosity in Foresters and its programs. In the role of Administration Officer, Karyn has many different responsibilities that involve all of the different areas of the Foresters Group, in particular Fair Finance Australia.
“I am thrilled to be working in such a socially aware organisation with challenging tasks and an innovative team who are focused on gaining social returns for the whole community.” |
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Peter Aubort
Managing Director, Social Investment Australia Ltd
Peter has extensive experience in the property funds management industry including distribution through wholesale and retail markets, managed fund administration, compliance and credit control in relation to real estate lending. Peter has provided private consultancy services to Australian property funds management companies for the last six years including the establishment and management of commercial property trusts and funds. Prior to that he was an executive director of one of Australia’s largest commercial mortgage trust managers. |
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Peter Pamment
Manager, Fair Finance Australia
Peter joined Foresters in March 2011 as the Program Manager for Fair Finance Australia. Peter has had a long time involvement in community finance having been associated with the Maleny Credit Union for over 25 years in many roles, in particular as its longest serving director for 17 years), IT support and CIO. Peter has a passion for grassroots microfinance having worked as a volunteer and consultant in many credit union and microfinance projects around the Pacific. Peter believes that appropriate financial solutions can have outcomes that increase financial inclusion in our community. |
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Maria Bruno
Loans Officer, Fair Finance Australia
Maria started with the Fair Finance Australia division of the Foresters group in July 2011. Maria will be directly dealing with clients in regards to their loans and will also manage the creation and updating the forms and protocols. Maria brings with her over 10 years of banking experience with a large customer service and sales focus. She is very enthusiastic to be working within the Foresters group for the community and help clients to be financially included.
“I am really excited to be working within a community development finance institution such as Foresters that shares many of my personal goals and values. It is great to be able to share my experience in finance and help customers by taking away some of their financial struggles.” |
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Shari Lawrence
Manager, Social Enterprise Solutions
Shari joined the team in September 2011 as manager of the Social Enterprise Solutions team. She is responsible for operation and implementation of the Social Enterprise Solutions appraisal, packaging and loan process. Shari and the Social Enterprise Solutions team talk to social enterprises daily, walking with them on their journey and helping them achieve their goals of asset building or business development.
“The strong direction and leadership of Foresters facilitates the effective delivery of the mission and values of Foresters. There is a clear strategic vision to which all programs and teams within the organisation are focused.” |
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Dina Jak
Development Officer, Social Enterprise Solutions
Dina joined Foresters in May 2011 working on a contract consultancy project. She has now joined the team as a full time worker in Social Enterprise Solutions, a division of Foresters. As a member of the Social Enterprise Solutions team, Dina is assisting with establishing the new Social Enterprise Solutions program. As a development officer, Dina works with social enterprises to appraise & package their business & investment needs.
“I really enjoy the interconnection of my professional life and my Masters of Philanthropy and Non-profit studies, being able to put the theory into practice while simultaneously being part of such an innovative and creative team. It is a true honour to be working part of the Social Enterprise Solutions team as I have a strong passion for social enterprises”. |
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Robyn Grivell
Finance Manager
Robyn joined the Foresters group in November 2008 and oversees all financial aspects of the Foresters Group. She has found Foresters to be one of those rare financial organisations in which the social outcomes truly are the driving force behind what we do and why we exist. As such it attracts people and business partners who are genuinely driven to make a difference in the world in which they live.
“The balance within the organisation between passion, innovation and creativity, while striving for best practice and responsible management and governance, creates a framework for Foresters to continue to break new ground in the re-emerging field of Community Development Finance Institutions in Australia”. |
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Philip Lazzarini
Group Compliance and Asset Manager
Philip joined the foresters team in May 2009. He has combined senior investment banking, finance and fund management experience of some 25 years, including involvement in the development of mortgage securitisation in Australia, in 1986. Since joining Foresters Philip has been privileged to assist Forester’s to obtain their Australian Financial Services Licence and more recently their Australian Credit Licence. These licenses are supported by a “best practice” risk management plan and compliance structure that provides comfort to our investors, and confidence to our Private and Government sector partners.
“It is truly an honour to be part of an organisation that offers unique and sympathetic financial opportunities and support to community groups and individuals to enable and enhance their continuing support of people in need. I consider Foresters’ achievement of linking the traditional Australian investment markets in a genuinely symbiotic way with the needs of community support groups to be without equal”. |
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Laura Clayton
Program Administration Officer
Laura joined the team in May 2011 and provides part-time program support to staff and managers across the different programs and subsidiary companies at Foresters. Laura brings experience in commercial and residential lending and investment banking.. Before Foresters, her most recent role involved working with volunteers and other stakeholders at a large community organisation.
“Foresters is the only CDFI in Australia and therefore is an unique organisation to be a part of. All the staff who work here share a passion for social justice and work towards assisting individuals and communities through community finance”. |
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Julia Morison
Administration Officer
Julia joined Foresters in October 2011 returning to the work force after a short break dedicated to raising her daughter. Her background is in hospitality management and has joined us in a part time capacity to assist the administration team.
“I’m really excited to be starting in this new environment which has already proved to be a very friendly and supportive one. I’m also pleased that my career change has found me being part of an organisation that is making such a positive and worthwhile contribution to our communities.” |
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Valda Wheeler
Capital Markets Manager, Social Investment Australia Ltd
Valda has held the position of Capital Raising Manager for Social Investment Australia since September 2010. Prior to that she held the position of Chair of the SIA Compliance Committee as an independent member and continues to contribute to that committee as an internal member.
She has extensive experience in the property funds management industry, specifically in the area of distribution through wholesale and retail markets of direct property funds and mortgage funds. Her experience within property funds management also extends to compliance, product development and credit assessment and has sat on internal compliance and credit control committees.
This broad experience provides a valuable contribution to the strength of the SIA funds management team.
“It is extremely exciting and rewarding to have the opportunity to provide a contribution to the work undertaken by the Foresters Group and in particular to the development and growth of Social Investment within Australia” |
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Tennille Lamb
Support and Referral Officer, Fair Finance Australia
Tennille joined Fair Finance Australia in the Foresters group in July 2011 is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Fair Finance Australia referral and support services for both individual and partnering organisations. She has five years’ experience in social policy development and is passionate about achieving social justice and advocating for marginalised and excluded individuals and communities.
“Fair Finance Australia is a unique program which exists in a new space in the community and finance sectors, developed to enhance the quality of life of those who have been financially excluded from mainstream services. This is an exciting time to be a part of Foresters Community Finance where developing new ways to deliver positive social outcomes is the number one priority”. |
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June Yee
Loans Officer, Fair Finance Australia
June started with the Fair Finance Australia a division of Foresters in July 2011. As Loans Officer June will be conducting loan interviews, processing and management of the loans for clients who typically fall outside the normal lending criteria of the main stream banking providers. Her extensive customer services and lending experience both in the banking and non banking financial institutions will be an asset in delivering appropriate support to promote small loan products designed to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged individuals.
“It is a privilege to work for a not for profit organisation with a social purpose as it gives me an opportunity to utilise my skills to help people who experience difficulty in obtaining finance just because they do not fit within the normal lending criteria of the mainstream financiers. If the finance provided has improved the quality of life for an individual than we have served our community very well.” |
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Matthew Rocholl
Development Officer, Social Enterprise Solutions
Mathew joined Foresters in September 2011 as a member of the Social Enterprise Solutions team. Matthew’s primary responsibility has been to assist in operationalising the program, with a specific focus of marketing and communications. Matthew has a diverse range of experience from the marketing and creative industries where he worked with both private and non-profit organisations.
“Foresters is such a unique organisation within Australia. When I go home at the end of the day, I know that I have made a difference – it’s a great feeling.” |
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