Our Story, Our People

Our Founders

Our Board

Our Team

In 2012 Jenny accepted the invitation to lead the Fairfax family office as joint CEO of VFFF and Cambooya Pty Ltd. These entities support the multi-generational Vincent Fairfax Family Office with financial, investment and philanthropic advice and services. Jenny is a Chartered Accountant and prior to her role with VFFF she specialised in litigation support and forensic accounting for almost twenty years. Jenny is a member of the Advisory Council of the Centre for Social Impact's Advisory Board, a Director of the Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership (CCEL) and of a number of private family companies associated with the Fairfax family office. Previously, Jenny also chaired the Board of Yume Pty Ltd - an early stage for-profit company with a social mission to eradicate food waste, and the War Widows Guild of NSW - which has 4,600 members and only 500 of them under the age of 80.
In 2012 Jenny accepted the invitation to lead the Fairfax family office as joint CEO of VFFF and Cambooya Pty Ltd. These entities support the multi-generational Vincent Fairfax Family Office with financial, investment and philanthropic advice and services. Jenny is a Chartered Accountant and prior to her role with VFFF she specialised in litigation support and forensic accounting for almost twenty years. Jenny is a member of the Advisory Council of the Centre for Social Impact's Advisory Board, a Director of the Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership (CCEL) and of a number of private family companies associated with the Fairfax family office. Previously, Jenny also chaired the Board of Yume Pty Ltd - an early stage for-profit company with a social mission to eradicate food waste, and the War Widows Guild of NSW - which has 4,600 members and only 500 of them under the age of 80.

Jenny Wheatley

Chief Executive Officer

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

Foundation Manager

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

Ellie joined the VFFF team in June 2024, to continue her work within the social impact sector. She has worked within refugee and migration support, education, youth advocacy, disability and most recently in philanthropy and live crowdfunding. Ellie is from the beautiful regional town of Coffs Harbour, moving to Melbourne to complete a Bachelor of International Development and a Diploma of Community Development. Ellie is passionate about creating positive change in society, and finding high-impact, meaningful solutions to combat societal problems and injustices.
Ellie joined the VFFF team in June 2024, to continue her work within the social impact sector. She has worked within refugee and migration support, education, youth advocacy, disability and most recently in philanthropy and live crowdfunding. Ellie is from the beautiful regional town of Coffs Harbour, moving to Melbourne to complete a Bachelor of International Development and a Diploma of Community Development. Ellie is passionate about creating positive change in society, and finding high-impact, meaningful solutions to combat societal problems and injustices.

Ellie Hewitt

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

Grants Officer

Catherine joined the VFFF team as Executive Assistant to the CEO in February 2024. Prior to joining VFFF, she worked at the ASX Limited as EA to Group Executives in the Legal, Compliance and the Markets divisions. Catherine has a strong background in Financial Markets, having worked locally and abroad, specifically in NYC. Whilst working abroad Catherine also supported Executives at the Australian Consulate, Australian Mission the United Nations and the Australian Trade Commission.
Catherine joined the VFFF team as Executive Assistant to the CEO in February 2024. Prior to joining VFFF, she worked at the ASX Limited as EA to Group Executives in the Legal, Compliance and the Markets divisions. Catherine has a strong background in Financial Markets, having worked locally and abroad, specifically in NYC. Whilst working abroad Catherine also supported Executives at the Australian Consulate, Australian Mission the United Nations and the Australian Trade Commission.

Catherine Livingstone

Executive Assistant to CEO

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