This is a funder only event

QLD and SA Funders Peer Network Meeting - A conversation on Impact Investing

When

Thursday 19 September 2024

Hybrid: This event will be held in-person and online in QLD, and online in SA. 
In-person format: 1.5 hours meeting and discussion followed by 30 mins networking.
Online format: 1.5 hours meeting. Zoom details will be provided after registration.

Queensland

In-person: 10:00am - 12:00pm AEST
Virtual: 10:00am - 11:30am AEST

Location: Hosted by GHD Foundation, Conference Room 3, Level 8, 145 Ann Street, Brisbane

South Australia

Virtual: 9:30am - 11:00am ACST 

Overview

Queensland and South Australian funder networks will once again come together in this hybrid meeting with an option to attend in-person in Queensland and participate in state based networking.

Join Michelle Di Fabio, Program Director for the Foundations Group for Impact Investing (FGII), Sara Parrott, CEO of Hand Heart Pocket, and Julianne Wilkin, Head of Impact Investing, Save the Children, for a conversation on Impact Investing, a growing field of investment that intentionally creates positive social or environmental impact alongside a financial return. There are also many great examples of how Impact Investing is being used by NFPs to propel their work.

Audience

This event is for Philanthropy Australia New Gen, Active, Engaged and Impact Funder members only based in Queensland and South Australia. 

If you are not yet a member of Philanthropy Australia or want to find out more about the philanthropic work in this area, please reach out to membership@philanthropy.org.au.

Presenters 

Michelle Di Fabio - Foundations Group for Impact Investing (FGII) Program Director at 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 passionate about education, currently lecturing in Impact Investing (Sustainable Investments) at The University of Melbourne and formerly at the Centre for Social Impact (CSI). Michelle is experienced in the responsible investing and superannuation sectors, having worked for various Superannuation funds, UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and is the Founder and Director of Strategic Global Advisory (SGA).

Michelle qualified as a Chartered Accountant at PwC and is an alumnus of The University of Melbourne, University of Manchester and studied the Social Impact Investing Programme at Oxford’s 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.

Sara Parrott - CEO, Hand Heart Pocket

Sara has over twenty-five years’ experience in sustainability, social impact management and stakeholder relations. In her current roles she is focused on impact investing, venture philanthropy and giving.  

Sara is Chief Executive Officer of Hand Heart Pocket, an independent philanthropic foundation established by the Freemasons of Queensland with a history of helping the community for more than 110 years. She is also Chair of the Thriving Qld Kids Partnership, Deputy Chair of the Queensland Children’s Hospital Foundation, and until recently a Board Member of Climate KIC Australia.

Sara is on the Steering Committee of the Philanthropy Australia Foundations Group for Impact Investing.  

Previously, Sara worked for listed companies Suncorp Group and Xstrata, leading sustainability and stakeholder relations nationally. Sara has also held executive roles in the community sector including with Goodstart Early Learning and Tearfund Australia, focused on advocacy, communications, and marketing.  

She holds Bachelor of Business-Management and a Master of Business-Marketing from QUT, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

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.

Learn more about Philanthropy Australia membership