Our Story, Our People

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Our Team

Prior to joining VFFF in 2020, Claire’s career spanned management consulting, the not-for-profit sector and most recently, corporate philanthropy. She held philanthropic roles with the Fossil Foundation, Perpetual, the icare foundation and the Macquarie Group Foundation. Claire grew up in country NSW and has since taken the opportunity to live, study and work in the USA, Canada, Europe and Hong Kong. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting/Commercial Law) and Bachelor of Science (Psychology) from the University of Sydney.
Prior to joining VFFF in 2020, Claire’s career spanned management consulting, the not-for-profit sector and most recently, corporate philanthropy. She held philanthropic roles with the Fossil Foundation, Perpetual, the icare foundation and the Macquarie Group Foundation. Claire grew up in country NSW and has since taken the opportunity to live, study and work in the USA, Canada, Europe and Hong Kong. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting/Commercial Law) and Bachelor of Science (Psychology) from the University of Sydney.

Claire Mannion

Acting CEO

Following a career in property and financial services where she held senior marketing and communications roles, Lynn transitioned to the non-profit sector in 2009. Since then she has worked with organisations including Social Ventures Australia, SecondBite and CareerSeekers New Australian Internship Program in roles focused on partnership development and program delivery. Passionate about the inter-connectedness of social and environmental impact, Lynn joined VFFF in August 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science (CSU) and Master of Management (MGSM).
Following a career in property and financial services where she held senior marketing and communications roles, Lynn transitioned to the non-profit sector in 2009. Since then she has worked with organisations including Social Ventures Australia, SecondBite and CareerSeekers New Australian Internship Program in roles focused on partnership development and program delivery. Passionate about the inter-connectedness of social and environmental impact, Lynn joined VFFF in August 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science (CSU) and Master of Management (MGSM).

Lynn Anderson

Senior Program Manager

El joined the VFFF team in April 2024 as Grants Officer after ten years in the customer service industry, including two years as Concierge & Office Manager at the Fairfax Family Office. Born and raised in Brazil, El moved to Australia in 2013 after completing a Bachelor in Communications (Public Relations). El is passionate about supporting people and organisations to do their best work and enact change in their communities.
El joined the VFFF team in April 2024 as Grants Officer after ten years in the customer service industry, including two years as Concierge & Office Manager at the Fairfax Family Office. Born and raised in Brazil, El moved to Australia in 2013 after completing a Bachelor in Communications (Public Relations). El is passionate about supporting people and organisations to do their best work and enact change in their communities.

El Schwanke

Program Manager

Portrait photo of Tessa
Tessa joined the VFFF team in August 2025 as a Program Manager. Prior to joining VFFF, Tessa spent three years with the Paul Ramsay Foundation working in grant development and partnership management. Tessa holds a Bachelor of Criminology & Criminal Justice (Hons), and a Master of Laws, specialising in Criminal Justice and Criminology, from the University of New South Wales.

Tessa Grey

Program Manager

Portrait photograph of Nicki
Nicki joined the VFFF team in January 2025 following a career which has spanned a range of diverse industries – from financial services and banking to the automative sector – both in Australia and Europe. She brings a wealth of marketing and communications experience to her role as Communications and Grants Officer and is passionate about sharing VFFF’s stories of impact. Nicki holds a Bachelor of Business from The University of Technology, Sydney.

Nicki Chinner

Communications & Grants Officer

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