Family Foundations Peer Network (Q2 2026)

Allan English AM, Chair, English Family Foundation

Allan is a Brisbane-based entrepreneur and founder of ASX-listed Silver Chef Limited, established in 1986. In 2010, he stepped down as CEO and transferred 50% of his shares to establish the capital base of the English Family Foundation.

Allan has been nationally recognised for his contributions to the philanthropic sector. In 2020, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service to philanthropy and the community.
He currently serves on QUT’s Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies Advisory Board and the Board of World Tree.

Rachel English, Director, English Family Foundation

Rachel is a Director of the English Family Foundation which focuses on driving transformational change through partnerships with early stage social enterprises. By day, she is a Director at Mutual Trust, assisting families with their giving and strategies.

With a decade of philanthropic experience in Australia and the UK, making philanthropy more accessible and meaningful drives most of Rachel’s work. She is Co-chair of NEXUS Australia, a network uniting young investors, social entrepreneurs and philanthropists to accelerate change; and Deputy Chair of the Inner North Community Foundation. Rachel was a founding committee member for the Australian International Development Network (AIDN), which encourages ‘more & better’ international development by Australians.  

Lisa Rowley, Director, Rowley Family Foundation

Lisa is a Director for her Family’s Philanthropic Foundation - The Rowley Foundation.

Lisa completed her university education in Western Australia with a business degree in Marketing and an Arts degree in Asian studies. In 2016 Lisa co-founded The Exercise Therapist. She has worked to develop this company as a leading and internationally recognised Allied Health Clinic in Western Australia. In 2020, the company was re-branded - Chronic Care Australia Pty Ltd (CCA).

Isabel Rowley, Rowley Family Foundation

Lisa will also be joined by her daughter, Isabel, who is based in Canberra. 

The Rowley Foundation was established in 2010 by Isabel's grandfather – Graeme Rowley as an avenue to give back to the community of Western Australia. 

There are 2 generations active in the foundations giving activities – all live globally or interstate and with varied interests. 

Ingrid Albert, Executive Director, Alberts/The Tony Foundation

Ingrid is executive director and member of the fifth generation at Alberts, a 139-year old family business backing pioneers to create a vibrant and sustainable future for all. She leads Alberts philanthropic arm, The Tony Foundation, which partners with pioneers harnessing the transformative power of music to improve life outcomes of young Australians. 

The Foundation embraces a responsible investment approach across its corpus through multiple investment strategies including positive and negative screens, stewardship, impact investing, and catalytic capital.

Ingrid also manages Alberts marketing, with a focus on leadership and advocacy initiatives, and is involved with Impact Ventures, investing in early-stage start-ups addressing equality, healthy minds, sustainable environment, and vibrant culture – four impact themes incorporated across Alberts operations.

Prior to Alberts, she built her strategy and marketing career working locally and internationally in Switzerland and Dubai for FMCG company CPW (a joint venture between Nestle and General Mills). An Alberts board director and Foundation investment committee member, Ingrid is a graduate of AICD and a committee member of Philanthropy Australia’s Foundations Group for Impact Investing.

Jess Perrin, Foundation Director, Eureka Benevolent Foundation

Jess Perrin is the inaugural Foundation Director of the Eureka Benevolent Foundation (EBF), a family foundation established in 2007 by Belinda Hutchinson and Roger Massy-Greene. EBF focuses on early childhood and education, and on disadvantage in the developing world, seeking to influence and empower lasting change. The foundation’s strategy is to give a small number of larger, long-term grants to support catalytic change in our focus areas. 

Jess is a seasoned partnerships and philanthropy executive, with over 18 years’ experience delivering social impact programs globally. Her career has spanned for purpose organisations, the private sector and the United Nations. Most recently, as Head of Social Innovation and Digital Inclusion at Infoxchange, and prior to that as Head of Global Programs at the Thomson Reuters Foundation in London. She holds a Masters of International Communications and Development from the City University of London and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Bella Conyngham, Director, Engagement (NSW/ACT), Philanthropy Australia

Originally from Aotearoa New Zealand, Bella Conyngham joined Philanthropy Australia at the beginning of 2023, bringing with her experience in engagement and partnership building within the social impact and sustainability sectors. As the Director of Engagement for NSW and ACT, Bella leads strategic engagement efforts with members, fostering collaboration across the region. She is deeply passionate about the philanthropic and not-for-profit sectors and serves as a Board Observer for the Australian Endometriosis Foundation (formerly known as Endo Articles). 

Bella is also an active member of NEXUS, a global community of emerging philanthropists, social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and allies from over 70 countries, dedicated to enhancing philanthropy and social change.