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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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Valda Wheeler
Managing Director, Social Investment Australia
Valda has more than 15 years experience in property funds management and finance within Australia and has held executive roles in the areas of retail and wholesale distribution, compliance and investment management.
Valda bought these skills and insights to Foresters almost 2 years ago and coupled with a sound understanding of the needs of the community sector has been instrumental in the development of SIA’s social investment products. Valda, through her work at Foresters and SIA is committed to increasing knowledge and growth of community finance and social investment in Australia. |
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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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Nina Yousefpour
Development Officer
Nina joined Foresters in May 2012. She works over both the Social Enterprise Solutions and the Community Asset Building Programs. Developing these programs and working closely with social enterprises and non-profit organisations towards financial inclusion are part of her role. Previously, Nina has worked on leading social enterprise and non-profit research in Australia, having gained strong insights into the challenges and opportunities for development in these sectors.
“I value sustainable social enterprises and non-profit organisations as being integral to the social fabric of Australian communities, and would like to see these sectors have strong capacity, particularly in remaining competitive in social procurement opportunities and an increase in community owned assets. I see Foresters as a fulcrum for this development in Australia through fostering financial sustainability for these organisations. Working at Foresters is a unique opportunity to contribute to these sectors.” |
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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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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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Sandra Nugent
Manager Strategy & Development
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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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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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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Laura Clayton
Development Officer, Social Enterprise Solutions
Laura joined Foresters in May 2011 and commenced work as a Development Officer in the Social Enterprise Solutions team in May 2012. Laura brings experience in commercial and residential lending and investment banking. Before Foresters, Laura’s most recent role involved working with volunteers and other stakeholders at a large community organisation.
“Foresters is a great organisation to be a part of. All the staff who work here share a passion for social justice and work towards assisting individuals and the non-profit sector through community finance”. |
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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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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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