Speakers
Presented by Impact Investing Australia and the Foundations Group for Impact Investing
Impact investing in Australia has reached more than $157 billion, a nearly eightfold increase since 2020. Mobilising capital at the scale required for climate, infrastructure, and social outcomes requires new structuring approaches and stronger collaboration across the capital continuum. Brought to you by Impact Investing Australia, this session will explore how blended finance approaches are evolving in Australia and globally, focusing on when and how blended capital structures are most appropriate and the role catalytic investment can play in enabling these transactions. Speakers will share practical insights and case studies demonstrating how philanthropic, private, and institutional investors can play complementary roles across the capital stack to develop investable opportunities, enable scaling, and strengthen market infrastructure. The discussion will showcase innovative partnership models, governance considerations, and the actions required to support impact investment growth and institutional capital participation.
Head of Engagement at Impact Investing Australia
Michelle Di Fabio works with investors, funders and enterprises to design impact programs, build partnerships and grow impact investing markets in Australia.
As Head of Engagement at Impact Investing Australia, Michelle convenes and works with asset managers and asset owners to mobilise institutional impact capital. As the inaugural Director of the Foundations Group for Impact Investing, Michelle led the design and build of Australia’s largest market‑building initiative for foundations engaged in impact investing.
She has held senior roles in the Superannuation sector, at Philanthropy Australia and the UN‑supported Principles for Responsible Investment. Michelle currently lectures in Sustainable Investment at The University of Melbourne.
Enterprise Professor at Melbourne Business School
Catherine is leading the Blended Finance for Climate Initiative at SVCI at MBS. She is using her background in climate philanthropy, impact investing, law and innovation to hold strategic conversations with experts across the continuum of finance about ways to accelerate finance into our climate transition (mitigation and adaptation) through blended finance approaches. Catherine was the CEO of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, the largest community foundation in Australia, for 12 years until early 2024. In 2016, the Foundation placed a climate lens across all its work and added impact investment to its asset allocation. Catherine’s PhD is titled Unlocking the innovation potential of philanthropic organisations. Catherine is a lawyer and an experienced director. She was awarded a Medal in the Order of Australia for services to charitable organisations in 2020.
