Below event, the Market Info Day, is open to philanthropic funders, foundations, and FGII guests.
When
Thursday 29 August 2024
11am - 1:00pm AEST (ACT, NSW, QLD)
10:30am - 12:30pm ACST (NT, SA)
9am - 11am AWST (WA)
Online event only: Zoom link will be provided after registration
Aims
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- To present an overview and investment considerations of investment-ready organisations (open session)
- To obtain feedback from FGII members to shape future market information days and FGII (closed session)
Overview
The Foundations Group for Impact Investing (FGII), launched in 2023, is designed to support market-building initiatives for foundations and charitable funders interested in starting or currently undertaking impact investing.
The FGII plans to support market building through education and origination. The origination activities will primarily be delivered via the Market Information Days.
Do you know a Foundation or Charitable funder who would benefit from joining? Please help spread the word. Find out more about becoming a FGII member.
About Market Information Day
The Market Information Day on Thursday 29 August will be held online.
This event is an opportunity to share impact investments in the market and invite discussion.
The Market Information Days are designed to educate attendees about the social impact investment landscape and opportunities from social impact funds, charities and social ventures. The event will focus on learning in a mutually supportive environment; newer investors learn from the questions posed by their more experienced peers, and those presenting can benefit from feedback on their ideas.
Structure (in AEST; ACT/ NSW/ VIC)
11am (FGII members and non-members): Open session, all welcome
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- Open and welcome
- Speaker presentations
12:30pm: Closed session for FGII members only
Please note:
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- The open session will be recorded. A closed session will be available for FGII members only, to provide feedback to support the development of future Market Information Days and the group.
- Presenters will share their thoughts and views in conversation but will not offer any financial advice.
- A brief survey will be provided for completion at the end of each presentation.
Audience
Philanthropic funders, foundations and FGII guests are welcome to attend this event.
For questions about this event or FGII, please contact the FGII Program Director Michelle Di Fabio at fgii@philanthropy.org.au. Find out how to become a FGII member here.
If you wish to sign up as a Philanthropy Australia member, please reach out to membership@philanthropy.org.au.
Speakers
Hear from the following For Purpose Organisations at this event:
• Cameron Neil, Co-Founder and CEO of LendForGood
• Mel Flanagan, Founder, Nook Studios
• Julianne Wilkin, Head of Impact Investing, Save the Children Australia
• Huy Truong, Executive Chairman and Founder, Thrive Refugee Enterprise
• David Hetherington, CEO, Impact Investing Australia (Market Activity Update)
Speakers
Cameron Neil - Co-Founder and CEO, LendForGood
Cameron Neil is the co-founder, director and CEO of LendForGood, an impact loan syndication platform that is mobilising millions of dollars to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. He has three decades of experience in the impact sector, working across and between finance, business, technology, international development, corporate advisory and startups. Cameron played a pioneering role in the Fairtrade movement in the region, as well as the early days of B-Corp and Shared Value. His work now focuses on capital entrepreneurship and innovative finance to meet the challenges of the 21st century. As demonstrated through LendForGood, Cameron believes strongly in the power of people to come together in solidarity and through collaboration to create the communities and world that they want - 'all of us' is the largest untapped impact investment fund in the world!
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- Chair/Director of various investee companies including Infrastructure Matters (UK), Heart Financial Group, Global Relief Supplies/DS3 Global, ALI Group
- Chairperson of Save the Children’s Impact Fund Investment Committee
- Member of the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs - Settlement Advisory Council and part of the Australian delegate to the UN global Refugee Forum
- Board Director of the Migrant Justice Institute, Centre for Policy Development
Mel Flanagan - Founder, Nook Studios
Mel Flanagan is the founder of Sydney based social enterprise, Nook Studios, a company of advocates, artists, strategists, designers, storytellers, data analysts, and creative technologists. Mel is an information designer with over 30 years' experience as a researcher, content maker, theatre and film producer, open government advocate, and designer of world leading community focused information services.
Nook’s mission is to make information open, accessible, and meaningful for communities so they can be involved in decisions that impact them, the environment and our planet - and support sustainable development efforts by combating misinformation and disinformation.
Nook is developing open-source digital products and a Community Design Innovation Program to help organisations transform their data and content, and demystify policies and processes so that people can find current and credible information and track impacts of natural resource, mining, oil, gas, energy, and infrastructure projects, and be involved in energy transition and climate resilience planning.
Julianne Wilkin - Head of Impact Investing, Save the Children Australia
With over two decades of commercial transaction experience, Julianne has adeptly navigated debt and equity transactions with commercial ventures and advised on a diverse range of acquisitions and divestments. Her 16-year tenure at Macquarie Group saw her in senior roles, serving as General Counsel and Global Head of Legal & Tax for Corporate Asset Finance.
In recent years, Julianne has shifted her focus towards generating finance for social impact, commencing her journey with The Fred Hollows Foundation in 2019 and continuing her impactful work at Save the Children. Julianne is now at the forefront of pioneering the world's first commercially structured Child Lens Impact Funds. Leading a passionate team, she nurtures companies that not only deliver financial returns but also measurably enhance the lives of children. Julianne's approach seamlessly blends commercial astuteness with an unwavering commitment to driving meaningful social change.
Huy Truong - Executive Chairman and Founder, Thrive Refugee Enterprise
Huy Truong B Ec Monash (Hons), MBA Harvard Huy arrived in Australia as a refugee and is an entrepreneur and investor who now dedicates his time to the success of refugees and migrants in Australia.
Huy is the Executive Chairman and Founder of Thrive Refugee Enterprise – a NGO dedicated to the economic self-reliance of refugees. Since inception, Thrive has provided almost $15m in business financing and planning support to over 700 refugees to start/grow a small business – generating over $70m p.a to the Australian economy. Thrive operates in QLD, NSW and VIC with a strong governance including Advisory Council members Martin Parkinson, David Gonski, Christine Holgate and John Curtis.
Huy began his career with the Boston Consulting Group before embarking on his entrepreneurial and investment career path. Huy has an Economic Honours Degree from Monash University and a MBA from Harvard Business School. Huy lives in Melbourne, married with 3 children and passionate about a confident, united and progressive Australia.
Besides Thrive Refugee Enterprise, has a portfolio of not-for-profit, government and commercial activities including:
• Managing Director of York Avenue Investment
• Chair of Truong Family Foundation
David Hetherington - CEO, Impact Investing Australia
David has substantial experience in research, policy, government, business start-up and development. Prior to joining IIA David was the Executive Director of the Public Education Foundation for more than six years. He was previously Executive Director of Per Capita, the progressive think tank dedicated to fighting inequality, and has worked at the UK’s Institute for Public Policy Research and with LEK Consulting. David holds a Master of Public Administration (Public and Economic Policy) and a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science and History).
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.
Find out how to become a FGII member here.
Learn more about Philanthropy Australia membership.