Our People – Cufa

Creating infinite value through enterprise

We are passionately committed to alleviating poverty. That would not be possible without the dedication of our staff, board, donors, and volunteers.

“I deeply acknowledge our field staff, all of whom are locals in the countries they work in, and who know the communities they work in, intimately. This effectively translates to our field staff having profound cultural insight and sensitivity, which, in turn, earns the trust of the community.”

Dr Peter Mason, our visionary leader and CEO

OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

DR PETER MASON, CEO

Director/PhD, BA (Hons)

Peter joined the CUFA board on the 23 August 2018.

Peter has been the CEO of CUFA Ltd for the last twelve years and in that time has redefined and developed its international program portfolio across the Asia Pacific region. Peter has worked in Cambodia, Timor Leste, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India, Fiji, Solomon Island, Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and the Federated Stated of Micronesia as well as having had extensive experience working in the domestic community sector.

OUR BOARD

Cufa’s board is responsible for the strategic direction and performance of the organisation.

COLETTE MCINERNEY

Director

Colette joined Cufa’s board in August 2018.

With over 20 years’ experience in leading NGO’s both in Australia and Internationally, Colette brings a unique synthesis of effective and respectful leadership skills and practical experience gained through roles as the Laos-based Country Director for a global NGO, CEO of an Indigenous financial inclusion foundation, and strategic public-private partnership manager. Colette has extensive knowledge and expertise in female-centred economic development programs, microfinance and financial inclusion and is a highly skilled fundraiser and strategic stakeholder management advisor.

ANDREW RODGERS.

Director/BBus(Acc), AssocDip (Elec Eng) , FAICD, FCPA

Andrew joined the Cufa Board in December 2018 with significant experience in NFP Boards.
Andrew has held Non-Executive Director positions in public and private companies, been Chair and member of Advisory Boards and Joint Venture Committees and brings with him 25+ years of experience across many industries in the public, private and not for profit sectors across a diverse number of industries. He actively promotes diversity, cultural awareness and provides practical and commercial business insights and advice. In his Executive career, he has held positions of CEO, COO, and CFO in large public and private companies including ASX 100.

DAMON JALILI

Director/B.Psy, Mast Peace & Conflict Studies, AICD.

Damon joined the Cufa board in June 2020. Damon is a government relations and strategic communications specialist with over 20 years’ experience in designing and delivering government relations, strategic communications and social research programs for high profile clients in Australia and internationally. He has experience in Federal Government working for the Finance Minister as well as on multiple federal and state political campaigns. Damon is the owner and Principal of Christmas Jalili, a public affairs, strategic communications and social research advisory consulting private sector organisations and industry groups on issues in business, finance and politics. Prior to that, Damon was also a Partner and Head of the Government Relations Practice at Kreab (formerly Gavin Anderson).

JO MALONEY

Director/B.A(Comm and PolSci), APSC.

Jo joined the Cufa board in June 2020. Jo is a senior executive with more than 15 years’ experience working across non-profit and government sectors to build awareness of complex social issues in Australia and South East Asia. Her expertise encompasses media relations, government engagement, fundraising, community development and corporate partnerships. Jo was the CEO of Project Futures, and the International Policy Advisor for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Senior Communications and Partnerships Adviser, World Vision Australia. Jo was a member of the Red Cross International Humanitarian Law Committee.

AMANDA YOUNG

Director/B.Law,DiplLegPrac, Harvard ExecProg, Standford ExecProg, AICD, Atlantic Fellow, LSE.

Amanda joined the Cufa board in June 2020. Amanda Young is an Indigenous woman to the Pacific Islands who has worked extensively across the political, social and economic equity of Indigenous people. A lawyer by trade, she has worked in criminal law, government, commerce and as the CEO of an Australian Indigenous economic charity where her impact led to the first Indigenous financial wellbeing strategy, a world-first Indigenous financial edutech program and a superannuation outreach program which reunited $24 million Indigenous superannuation with its remote and regional owners in a matter of days. This work earned her several award nominations and successes. As an Atlantic Fellow for Social and Economic Equity at the London School of Economics, and has attended Harvard and Stanford executive business schools, Amanda’s most recent work is on global regenerative and distributive economies.

Paul McCann

Director | Exec Mast of Business Administration.

Paul McCann is an analytical and forward-thinking senior executive with 20+ years of versatile leadership experience including specialisation in risk and operations management. Paul’s diverse background uniquely positions him to guide companies through periods of significant change and transformation caused by digital disruption or outdated business models.

Most recently Paul was appointed GM of APAC for PrecisionLender, a US-based SaaS company, overseeing day-to-day operations as well as market strategy and program development. He currently advises CROs and Heads of Retail and Business Banking on helping their bankers win more deals by structuring and pricing transactions to attain risk-adjusted return established by their Board.