The reason we do it. Academic Excellence Grant recipient, Anna Sing, representing Australia at the 2017 International Biology Olympiad held in the United Kingdom, with the support of the Mac.Rob Foundation.
“The establishment of The Mac.Rob Foundation is designed to recognise the efforts of young women and gender diverse young people through supporting their access to education.”
LYNNE JENSEN, BOARD CHAIR
About Us
The Mac.Rob Foundation is a philanthropic foundation focused on delivering the best possible education outcomes for young women and gender diverse young people in Victoria.
Founded by the then Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School principal, Toni Meath, alongside alumna Deb Knight, the launch of The Mac.Rob Foundation took place on the 5th March 2016, at the National Gallery of Victoria.
Since that time, the Mac.Rob Foundation has supported the energies and efforts of students in achieving their educational and academic dreams.
We have hosted a wide range of informative events and activities - demonstrating female leadership across diverse industry sectors. We have supported the voices of strong women, providing access to important role models to the next generation of female leaders. We are grateful to speakers such as award-winning historian and author Dr Clare Wright, media commentator Jamila Rizvi, Professor Gillian Triggs and journalist Virginia Trioli for their support of our cause.
Today we are focused on the outcomes we can deliver direct to young women and gender diverse young people. We have a well rounded Scholarship and Bursaries program and ensure donations directly support recipients to achieve their education goals.
our board
Lynne Jensen
Chair
Lynne is the Group Company Secretary and Head of Governance and Risk at SEEK Limited. She has over 25 years of international and domestic legal and governance experience, including as a partner of Allens Arthur Robinson and as Group General Counsel and Company Secretary of Grocon. She served on the Boards of Save the Children Australia and Ganbina for six years, including as Deputy Chair. Lynne holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne.
Carmen Lau
deputy chair
Carmen is Head of Marketing at J.P. Morgan Asset Management for Australia and New Zealand. She has over 20 years experience in Finance, Marketing and Operations having worked in Australia and London. She was previously a Director at PwC working in the Office of the Chief Operating Officer on key transformational projects. Carmen is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from The University of Melbourne.
Kanchana Kopsaftis
secretary
Kanchana is currently a senior lawyer at the Department of Justice and Community Safety. She has over 10 years of legal experience in the private and public sectors. Kanchana holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from Monash University.
Michelle Vuong
TREASURER
Michelle is a Senior Finance Partner at Dentsu Australia, supporting the local media business. With more than 13 years working in commercial finance, financial planning and analysis, and financial reporting and audits, Michelle has robust experience in her field. Her career includes six years in London, giving her invaluable global financial exposure and perspective. Michelle is a Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand member and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from The University of Melbourne. She is a proud alumna of Mac.Rob and values the exceptional standard of education and opportunities the school provides.
Anne Kuleshova
Board Member
Anne has 15 years’ experience in the finance industry, including in investment advisory, banking and M&A roles at JANA, Deloitte and Macquarie. Anne is an Actuary (AIAA), a Fellow of FINSIA, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Melbourne. She has a strong appreciation for the outstanding education she received at Mac.Rob, and is passionate about giving back to the next generation of women. Anne is the co-founder of Women In Investments, a networking group that fosters stronger connections and career development in the investment industry.
Eva Zileli
Board Member
Eva is a finance executive with extensive experience leading finance and treasury teams across Australia and the UK. Her career includes positions as Group Treasurer of a leading consumer lender and Head of Group Funding at one of Australia’s major banks. Eva has pioneered award-winning sustainable funding deals, earning recognition as a Debt Capital Markets “Markets Person of the Year”. Eva is a conference panellist and has served on an industry national committee. A member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Eva holds a Bachelor of Economics from Monash University.
Richard Chan
Board Member
Richard is the School Council representative on the Foundation Board.
He was President of the School Council and has served on the School Council since 2022. He is a CPA and has held various finance leadership roles including financial controller at Goodyear and Iveco. He has more than 20 years of finance, accounting and compliance experience across various industries. He has two daughters, both are currently studying at MacRob and loving it.
Margaret Burrowes
BOARD MEMBER
Margaret is the Palladian’s Association representative and Foundation treasurer. She matriculated from MacRob in 1972 with a lifelong love of learning, literature and engagement. Her mother often said that when all the neighbourhood children were playing 'shops', she was doing the stocktake! Accountancy was an inevitable study and career path, with human resources and human rights/public policy to follow. On a personal note, Margaret has two adult sons, a husband of 43 years and a dog. She has lived in London, Sydney, Calgary and Melbourne (her hometown).
Sue Harrap
Board Member
PrINCIPAL, MAC.ROBERTSON
Sue has worked in education for her entire professional life. Prior to joining Mac.Rob as Principal in July 2021, she was Principal of Northcote High School and before that Assistant Principal at Nossal High School. Her experience is broad, working both locally and internationally, in K-12 schools through to tertiary institutions, in rural, remote and urban schools, and neighbourhood and selective entry contexts. Sue has a Master in School Leadership and graduate qualifications in curriculum, assessment and wellbeing. She is a passionate advocate for access to quality education for all.