FGII member focus group discussion

Location and date

Melbourne (in-person only) | Wednesday 6 November, 1:00pm – 2:00pm AEDT (Optional networking from 2:00pm – 2.30pm)
Virtual | Thursday 7 November, 1:00pm - 2:00pm AEDT

Sydney (in-person only) | Thursday 7 November, 3:30pm – 4.30pm AEDT (Optional networking from 4.30 – 5:00pm)

Venue details for in-person discussions, and Zoom link for virtual format will be provided after we confirm your FGII membership. 

Due to limited spaces we invite one representative from each FGII member organisation to attend the focus group.

Session aims

FGII members are invited to attend a small series of in person or virtual focus groups to support the development of FGII.

Objectives:

• • • Help shape FGII’s future
    • Provide feedback on FGII’s inaugural year and future focus areas
    • Member networking
    • Meet the FGII team

A wider survey will be sent to FGII members and non-members to capture the broader views of the FGII community.

Session overview

We invite FGII members to a series of focus groups to provide feedback on your experience and your goals to support future FGII planning. 

In person- focus groups will include member networking and light refreshments.

There are limited spots for the in-person component. 

Audience

This is for FGII members only. 

Not yet a FGII member? We welcome foundations and charitable funders with investable assets to join FGII. Find out how to become a FGII member here. Philanthropy Australia membership is not required to join FGII.

For questions about FGII or this focus group discussion, please contact the FGII Program Director Michelle Di Fabio at fgii@philanthropy.org.au.

If you wish to sign up as a Philanthropy Australia member, please reach out to membership@philanthropy.org.au.

FGII chair

Ben Smith - Head, Impact Investing, Paul Ramsay Foundation

Ben is Head of Impact Investing at Paul Ramsay Foundation. Alongside his role at PRF, Ben is the Vice Chair, and Chair of the Investment Committee, for NatWest Social and Community Capital. Furthermore, he holds the position of Impact Investor in Residence at Centre for Social Impact Flinders University.

Prior to joining PRF, Ben was Head of Impact Investment at Esmée Fairbairn Foundation – the UK’s largest impact investing foundation. Ben previously established UnLtd’s – the UK’s largest early-stage social enterprise supporter – social investment department and first funds. Other notable activities in the space include co-authoring the CFA UK’s Impact and Investing Certificate, co-Chairing the UK’s Social Impact Investors Group and holding Impact Finance lecturing positions at Cranfield University and University of Westminster.
 
Originally a management and strategy consultant, Ben is also a former Board Member of Birmingham Symphony Hall and Aston University.

FGII Program Director 

Michelle Di Fabio - Program Director for the Foundations Group for Impact Investing (FGII), Philanthropy Australia

Michelle leads the Foundations Group for Impact Investing (FGII) at Philanthropy Australia. The FGII launched in 2023, is designed to support market-building initiatives for foundations and charitable funders interested in starting or currently undertaking impact investing. 

Michelle is experienced in strategy, program delivery, education and impact investing. Michelle has held roles including Head of Strategy for Hostplus Superannuation, Relationship Manager for the UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and is the Founder and Director of Strategic Global Advisory (SGA).
 
Michelle is passionate about education and collaboration, and a lecturer in Impact Investing (Sustainable Investment) at The University of Melbourne.
 
Michelle qualified as a Chartered Accountant at PwC and is an alumnus of The University of Melbourne, University of Manchester and Oxford University, where she was awarded a leadership scholarship to study the Social Impact Investing Programme at the SAID Business School. Michelle is a board member of Dodgeball Australia, National student body Financial Management Association of Australia (FMAA) and former Alumni Deputy Chair at The University of Melbourne.