Management
MAHIR MOMAND, Founder & Executive Director
Mahir is the founder of HADIA Foundation. He is an experienced CEO and have lead a number of organisations in Australia and Afghanistan. Previously Mahir founded Regional Opportunities Australia, was the founding CEO of Thrive, founded and served as the CEO of Afghanistan's national association of Credit Unions. Prior to that, Mahir worked for the World Bank, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) projects, served as a senior financial adviser to the government of Afghanistan and worked for a number of other aid organisations in Afghanistan and Canada. Mahir holds an MBA in Finance, and a Master of Commerce specialsing in Project Management from the University of Sydney.
LUTFULLAH LUTFI, Manager Finance & Administration
Mr. Lutfi is Manager Finance & Administration for HADIA foundation. Mr. Lutfi has been working in Humanitarian and development sector since 2009.
He was previously Finance and Administration Manager with Mission East, a Danish relief and development organization. He has also worked for CARE International and USAID funded projects in Afghanistan. Mr. Lutfi has got a degree in finance and currently completing a Masters degree in humanitarian assistance at Deakin Universty, Australia.
YASMINE AMANI, Manager Outreach
Yasmine is the Community Engagement Manager for HADIA Foundation. Yasmine has extensive experience with humanitarian aid projects and hands-on experience in working with local and global not for profit organisations including: SES, Al Ghazzali Centre, Shine for Kids, Youth Off the Streets, The Sony Foundation and was a Social Ventures Volunteer for the The Western Union Foundation, which has a headline Education 4 Better Program.
DIRECTORS
AMBER O'CONNELL, Chair
Amber has a strong background in public affairs and policy. Amber is currently Head of Government Relations and Industry at QBE, and is a Community Representative on Bayside Council's Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel. She has held senior policy roles within the banking and insurance sectors, and communications and media roles with the Commonwealth Government and ratings agency Standard and Poor’s. She also has a number of years of board experience with an Australian banking institution.
Amber holds an undergraduate degree from Sydney University majoring in political economy and science, with Golden Key Honour Society recognition for academic excellence. She also holds a Master’s Degree from UTS in communications, majoring in public relations.
LOUISE PETSCHLER, Director
Ms. Petschler is a well-known executive in the Australian mutual banking sector. She served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Customer Owned Banking Association, which is the national association for mutual banks, building societies and credit unions with more than $90 billion in assets under management.
Ms. Petschler also worked for the consumer rights group, Choice and currently is the General Manager, Advocacy of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Ms. Petschler has extensive experience in public policy, government, advocacy and executive roles. Ms. Petschler has a proven record in managing complex issues and reform agendas.
MICHAEL FUNSTON, Secretary
Michael Funston, Director and Company Secretary of HADIA Foundation, is also a Senior Legal and Compliance lawyer in the Australian financial services industry. Previously, he ran the compliance and legal department at the Customer Owned Banking Association, the industry association representing Australia’s credit unions, mutual banks and mutual building societies.
Michael has previously held positions including Senior Lawyer with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and Coordinator of the Consumer Credit Legal Centre (NSW) Inc. Michael is a qualified legal practitioner, registered to practice in NSW and holding a current practicising certificate. His qualifications include LLB, LLM and Master of Arts degrees.
MAHIR MOMAND, Founder & Executive Director
Mahir is the founder of HADIA Foundation. He is an experienced CEO and have lead a number of organisations in Australia and Afghanistan. Previously Mahir founded Regional Opportunities Australia, was the founding CEO of Thrive, founded and served as the CEO of Afghanistan's national association of Credit Unions. Prior to that, Mahir worked for the World Bank, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) projects, served as a senior financial adviser to the government of Afghanistan and worked for a number of other aid organisations in Afghanistan and Canada. Mahir holds an MBA in Finance, and a Master of Commerce specialsing in Project Management from the University of Sydney.