Louise Davidson AM
Chief Executive Officer
Louise Davidson has spent her career with a focus on building long-term value for the millions of beneficiaries of Australian superannuation funds. Most recently this has included elevating the importance of environmental, social and governance factors in managing material financial risk in super fund investment portfolios.
As CEO of the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) since 2015, Louise oversees ACSI’s program of company engagement, research and policy advocacy, backed by 30 years of senior experience in the financial services and ESG sectors. Her tenure as ACSI CEO has seen significant improvements in the way listed companies manage important issues including boardroom diversity, climate risk and human rights.
Prior to being appointed ACSI CEO, she was Investment Manager, ESG at Cbus superannuation fund, responsible for establishment and implementation of the ESG program within the fund’s investment portfolio.
Louise is the co-founder of the Mother’s Day Classic, which has raised more than $47 million for breast and ovarian cancer research since 1998. She was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2019 for her significant service to the superannuation sector and to breast cancer research.
She is deputy chair of the Federated Hermes Client Advisory Board, and a former director of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the International Integrated Reporting Initiative and former chair and director of the Mother’s Day Classic Foundation.
Karen Griffiths
Chief Financial Officer / Chief Operating Officer
Karen is responsible for overseeing ACSI’s finance, risk, and HR function, our strategic and business planning processes as well as managing our office facilities. Karen’s extensive career in finance and governance includes audit and assurance at Ernst & Young and over 14 years at Aviva and the National Australia Bank both in Melbourne and the UK where she held roles in accounting policy, group financial governance and CFO business partnering. Karen holds a Bachelor of Business in Accounting and a Bachelor of Business in Banking & Finance from Monash University. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Kate Griffiths
Executive Manager, Research and Policy
Kate is responsible for leading the team that delivers for ACSI’s research and policy program, working with our members to cover a range of financially material ESG issues and provide guidance on good corporate practice and regulatory reforms that contribute positively to the sustainability of markets. Kate was formerly the Head of Governance, Risk and Audit Committee and Disclosure and a Company Secretary at BHP, and, prior to that, a senior associate at Blake Dawson (now Ashurst). Kate was also previously a non-executive director and Chair of ShareGift Australia, a not-for-profit organisation that facilitates the donation of shares to community organisations. Kate holds a Bachelor of Laws (with honours) and a Bachelor of Arts. She is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course and a fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.
Brooke Haigh
Company Secretary
Brooke is an experienced Chartered Secretary with over 15 years corporate governance, company secretariat and compliance experience working for listed and unlisted companies such as Bank Australia, Jemena, MLC Life Insurance, Bupa and Kinetic Superannuation (Sunsuper/Australian Retirement Trust). Brooke is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia (GIA) and Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) with a focus on whole of company governance and exceeding Board expectations through a best fit and commercial approach. She has also sat on the GIA’s Victorian State Council for the last 7 years. Brooke’s qualifications include an Advanced Diploma of Business (Legal Practice) (RMIT), Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance (GIA), Diploma of Financial Services – Superannuation RG146, Company Directors Course (AICD) and Mt Eliza Business School – Leadership Development Programs.
Ed John
Executive Manager, Stewardship
Ed has over sixteen years’ experience advising ACSI members on responsible investment issues. Ed is responsible for ACSI’s engagement with ASX-listed boards, policy formation and proxy voting research. With a background in law and financial services, Ed has extensive experience producing research and engaging with the boards of Australia’s largest companies on a range of ESG investment issues.
Ed holds a Bachelor of Laws with honours, Master of Commercial Law from the University of Melbourne and a Diploma in Financial Services (Financial Planning). He is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Nathan Robertson
Executive Manager, Corporate Affairs
Nathan is Executive Manager, Corporate Affairs of the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) and is responsible for leading the team that delivers for ACSI’s government relations, media advocacy, communications and events, and member engagement programs. Nathan focuses on highlighting the benefits of active ownership and promoting regulatory reforms on ACSI’s priority areas to government and the media. Nathan has worked in media relations, public policy and communications roles in a number of sectors including financial services. Nathan was formerly a parliamentary adviser, and, prior to that, held roles at Industry Super Australia and Essential Media. Nathan holds a Bachelor of International Relations from La Trobe University.
Hannah Armitage
Manager, Research
Hannah is responsible for ACSI’s research programme.
Most recently Hannah worked in London at the Financial Reporting Council, the UK’s audit and reporting regulator, where her work covered corporate governance, stewardship policy and ESG reporting best practice. She has a background in public policy, having worked at the Australian Department of the Treasury on executive remuneration legislation, director duties and an organisational change initiative to encourage women to enter senior leadership.
Phoebe Bowen
Communications and Events Officer
Phoebe Bowen joined ACSI in April 2023. Phoebe has completed a Bachelor of Media and Communications, majoring in media industries and minoring in social media from LaTrobe University.
As Communications and Events Officer, she assists with planning ACSI events, develops member communications, and uses her digital media skills on social media design and delivery.
Linda Cummings
Executive Assistant to Chief Executive Officer
Linda joined ACSI in April 2024 as the Executive Assistant to our Chief Executive Office and supporting our Chief Financial Officer and Executive Manager of Research and Policy. With over 15yrs experience supporting C-suite executives across multiple and diverse industries such as Financial and Utilities. Linda brings a wealth of administrative knowledge and experience, along with enthusiasm and a passion in getting the job done.
Kim Eden
Manager, Member Communications
Kim joined ACSI in July 2008 to coordinate the organisation’s communications needs. Her primary responsibility is to manage ACSI’s member information, website, publications, marketing materials and event promotions. Her role previously included being ACSI’s Event Manager from 2008 until 2023.
Before commencing at ACSI, Kim was based in the UK for seven years working for international oil and gas company Statoil (now Equinor), as their Public Affairs Consultant. Before heading to the UK, she previously worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers and CGU Insurance in Melbourne.
Romy Faulkner
Senior Analyst
Romy is a Senior Analyst in ACSI’s stewardship, proxy voting and equity research team. She works across a range of ACSI’s focus areas, including human rights, First Nations issues, nature, the circular economy and others. Prior to working at ACSI, she was an Advisor to the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva, focusing on new models of financing humanitarian work. Romy holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Law (with honours) from The University of Melbourne, a Masters in Migration Studies from Oxford University and a Masters of Law from Harvard University. Her Masters of Law focused on business and human rights, particularly corporate-community engagement.
Michael Hamblett
Senior Analyst
Michael joined ACSI in July 2024. Prior to this, he spent 10 years in London as an equity research analyst at Columbia Threadneedle Investments. In addition to covering the retail sector, Michael led ESG integration and engagement programmes and helped develop impact portfolios. He began his career in New York at UBS Global Asset Management, moving to its corporate governance team in London. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Liverpool, a postgraduate certificate in International Business Practice, the Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting Credential and is a CFA Charterholder.
Fiona Manning
Manager, ESG Engagement (Climate)
Having joined the investment industry in 1999, Fiona has a diverse background with experience across multi-asset and multi-manager investment strategies, climate change and ESG research, equity analysis, investment communications and liability-driven investment. Prior to joining ACSI, Fiona had most recently been a portfolio manager of diversified, ethical and impact funds at AMP Capital and Apostle Funds Management. She was an equity analyst with clean energy fund manager Arkx Investment Management and an investment analyst at The Climate Institute. This was preceded by five years in the UK with Insight Investment where she focussed on liability-driven investment and, in Australia, working within the investment team at the Government Employee’s Superannuation Board (GESB) of Western Australia and as an investment reporting analyst with MLC Implemented Consulting. Fiona holds a Bachelor of Mathematics and Finance from the University of Technology, Sydney, and is also a CFA Charterholder.
Maryann Mannix-White
Senior Events and Partnerships Manager
Maryann joined ACSI in January 2023 and is a seasoned professional in the realm of events, partnership cultivation, and stakeholder engagement. With a wealth of experience, she’s navigated diverse landscapes in both the Australian market and internationally, fostering an extensive network of business relationships. Her expertise spans across event management, sponsorship partnerships, and specialized projects, offering a comprehensive understanding of the significance of stakeholder engagement.
Ian McIIwraith
Manager, Engagement Implementation and Reporting
Ian is part of ACSI’s governance research, voting and company engagement program. An experienced business journalist by background, he is leading ACSI’s drive to increase the amount of women on company boards to a minimum 30%.
Quyen Ngo
Finance Manager
Quyen provides assistance to the CFO/COO. Quyen joined ACSI in 2017 and her diverse career in finance ranges from roles in public practice, to commercial and non-profit organisations.
Quyen graduated from RMIT University with a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.
Chris Panagiotopoulos
Engagement Team Assistant
Chris has been with ACSI since its formation in 2001, providing overall administrative support to the organisation. In addition to her responsibilities with ACSI, Chris also worked for IFS Legal, as executive assistant to the partners of the firm. After a short break, Chris re-joined ACSI providing administrative support to the governance research, voting and company engagement team.
Sunil Rao
ESG Manager
An experience lawyer, academic and advisor, Sunil has extensive experience on assessing corporate human rights frameworks. He has been part of the Government’s Modern Slavery Expert Advisory Group Member over the past few years and his most recent role has been at HealthShare Victorian providing subject matter expert advice to 30 public hospitals and health services on modern slavery risk and operational and legal compliance with Modern Slavery Act.
Brent Rechter
Senior Analyst
Brent is a Senior Analyst in ACSI’s policy and research team. He works across a range of policy priorities, including on issues related to the financial implications of climate change and biodiversity loss. Prior to joining ACSI, Brent worked at the Commonwealth Treasury where he developed sustainable finance policy. Brent holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Master of Public Policy and Management from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Applied Finance from Macquarie University.
Brigid Richmond
Research and Policy Analyst
Brigid is an analyst in the policy and research team at ACSI. She works across a range of ACSI’s topic areas, with a particular focus on climate change policy and diversity.
Prior to joining ACSI, Brigid worked in policy and research for both government and private sector organisations, focusing on energy, communications and media, and the digital economy.
Brigid holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Masters of Applied Commerce, and a Masters of Social Policy from the University of Melbourne.
Mary Spink
ESG Analyst
Mary is an analyst in ACSI’s stewardship, proxy voting and equity research team.
Prior to joining ACSI, Mary worked in the sustainability & climate change team at Deloitte, focusing on supporting companies with ESG reporting advisory and assurance services.
Mary holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Queensland, and is also a qualified Chartered Accountant.
Cath Sullivan
Manager, Media and Public Affairs
Cath joined ACSI after a career largely spent in television news and current affairs, including as interview producer for the ABC’s Lateline program and stints at Channel 7 and BBC World Service TV.
She has also been a parliamentary advisor, a writer and a copy editor, among other things.
Christine Tang
ESG Analyst
Christine joined ACSI in 2022 as an analyst in the stewardship, proxy voting and equity research team.
Prior to joining ACSI, Christine worked in the financial services assurance team at PriceWaterhouseCoopers as well as in performance audit of the Victorian government at the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office.
Christine holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Finance from the University of Melbourne.
Phoenix Tang
Finance Officer
Phoenix joined ACSI in 2022 and has worked in finance roles in a number of industries. Her primary responsibility is to provide assistance to the finance manager.
Phoenix graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Commerce.