Executive Leadership Team

Kate joined VFMC as CEO in October 2021.

Kate spent eight years in commercial legal practice, before transitioning into management. Kate has led businesses in global and Australian companies across financial advice, asset management, private, corporate and business banking. Before joining VFMC, Kate was at NAB where she was responsible for NAB’s Health business, leading a national team of corporate and business bankers. Prior to NAB, Kate held multiple roles with JBWere and Goldman Sachs JBWere, including Managing Director, JBWere and Executive Director and Partner, Goldman Sachs JBWere.

Kate holds Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Law and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is currently on the Board of the Mercy Health Foundation.

Russell joined VFMC in May 2017 as Chief Investment Officer (CIO) where he is responsible for overseeing the management of the VFMC portfolio.

Russell joined VFMC from Mercer where he was the Global CIO (Mainstream Assets) since 2011 and CIO (Pacific) since 2003. This role saw him overseeing all discretionary equity, listed property, fixed income and multi-asset portfolios worldwide and was specifically responsible on a day-to-day basis for all portfolios based in the Pacific region. Russell also chaired the Mainstream Assets Global Investment Committee and Global Strategic Research Committees. Prior to this, he spent six years in Mercer Australia as an investment consultant and head of Investment Research.

Russell also gained eight years of investment and financial services experience working as manager of the investment research function for one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds, UniSuper, and as head of Investment Performance Analytics for a major fund manager.

Russell holds a bachelor of economics from Macquarie University. He is a fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and a senior associate of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, and has lectured and tutored in investment subjects for both organisations.

Lucy Carr joined VFMC in December 2019 as Chief Risk Officer, where she had accountability for leading the Legal, Risk and Compliance function and working with the Board and its Committees in the management and over-sight of VFMC’s legal, risk and compliance obligations.

In May 2022, Lucy was appointed to the role of Chief Operating Officer with accountability for leading the Data and Analytics, Digital and Technology, Investment Operations and Projects and Change portfolios at VFMC.

Lucy has extensive risk and operational management experience across the funds management, insurance, superannuation and consulting/advisory sectors. Prior to joining VFMC, Lucy spent eight years in executive roles at Vanguard Australia and was also a member of Vanguard Australia’s Board of Directors. She was previously Group Operational Risk Manager at AXA Asia Pacific for six years and held Manager and Senior Manager roles at EY New York and Melbourne.

Paul Shanley joined VFMC on 1 August 2022 as Chief Finance and Risk Officer (CFRO). This executive role is responsible for overseeing VFMC’s finance, risk, compliance and legal portfolios.

Paul joins VFMC from Australia’s leading impact investment funds manager, Impact Investment Group (IIG), where he was Chief Executive Officer. He also brings a further 20 years’ experience across finance, tax and operational roles with organisations including Australian Unity, JBWere and Aviva.

Paul’s experience in delivering strong financial returns alongside measurable environmental, social and governance benefits is strongly aligned to VFMC’s purpose.

Lisa Williams joined VFMC in April 2024 as Interim Head of People with responsibility for leading the People team and the work to deliver the people-related aspects of VFMC’s strategic plan through 2024.

Lisa has extensive experience in People leadership most recently working as a coach and advisor to leaders, teams and organisations to enhance their leadership capabilities and effectiveness. Prior to that Lisa was the Executive Director, Corporate Services at IFM Investors for seven years. She was previously an independent remuneration and HR consultant and also held various HR management roles at ANZ Bank.

Lisa has an Executive Masters in Change from INSEAD, a Graduate Diploma in Organisational Dynamics from Swinburne University and a B.Com from the University of Melbourne.

Kate joined VFMC as CEO in October 2021.

Kate spent eight years in commercial legal practice, before transitioning into management. Kate has led businesses in global and Australian companies across financial advice, asset management, private, corporate and business banking. Before joining VFMC, Kate was at NAB where she was responsible for NAB’s Health business, leading a national team of corporate and business bankers. Prior to NAB, Kate held multiple roles with JBWere and Goldman Sachs JBWere, including Managing Director, JBWere and Executive Director and Partner, Goldman Sachs JBWere.

Kate holds Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Law and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is currently on the Board of the Mercy Health Foundation.

Lucy Carr joined VFMC in December 2019 as Chief Risk Officer, where she had accountability for leading the Legal, Risk and Compliance function and working with the Board and its Committees in the management and over-sight of VFMC’s legal, risk and compliance obligations.

In May 2022, Lucy was appointed to the role of Chief Operating Officer with accountability for leading the Data and Analytics, Digital and Technology, Investment Operations and Projects and Change portfolios at VFMC.

Lucy has extensive risk and operational management experience across the funds management, insurance, superannuation and consulting/advisory sectors. Prior to joining VFMC, Lucy spent eight years in executive roles at Vanguard Australia and was also a member of Vanguard Australia’s Board of Directors. She was previously Group Operational Risk Manager at AXA Asia Pacific for six years and held Manager and Senior Manager roles at EY New York and Melbourne.

Lisa Williams joined VFMC in April 2024 as Interim Head of People with responsibility for leading the People team and the work to deliver the people-related aspects of VFMC’s strategic plan through 2024.

Lisa has extensive experience in People leadership most recently working as a coach and advisor to leaders, teams and organisations to enhance their leadership capabilities and effectiveness. Prior to that Lisa was the Executive Director, Corporate Services at IFM Investors for seven years. She was previously an independent remuneration and HR consultant and also held various HR management roles at ANZ Bank.

Lisa has an Executive Masters in Change from INSEAD, a Graduate Diploma in Organisational Dynamics from Swinburne University and a B.Com from the University of Melbourne.

Russell joined VFMC in May 2017 as Chief Investment Officer (CIO) where he is responsible for overseeing the management of the VFMC portfolio.

Russell joined VFMC from Mercer where he was the Global CIO (Mainstream Assets) since 2011 and CIO (Pacific) since 2003. This role saw him overseeing all discretionary equity, listed property, fixed income and multi-asset portfolios worldwide and was specifically responsible on a day-to-day basis for all portfolios based in the Pacific region. Russell also chaired the Mainstream Assets Global Investment Committee and Global Strategic Research Committees. Prior to this, he spent six years in Mercer Australia as an investment consultant and head of Investment Research.

Russell also gained eight years of investment and financial services experience working as manager of the investment research function for one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds, UniSuper, and as head of Investment Performance Analytics for a major fund manager.

Russell holds a bachelor of economics from Macquarie University. He is a fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and a senior associate of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, and has lectured and tutored in investment subjects for both organisations.

Paul Shanley joined VFMC on 1 August 2022 as Chief Finance and Risk Officer (CFRO). This executive role is responsible for overseeing VFMC’s finance, risk, compliance and legal portfolios.

Paul joins VFMC from Australia’s leading impact investment funds manager, Impact Investment Group (IIG), where he was Chief Executive Officer. He also brings a further 20 years’ experience across finance, tax and operational roles with organisations including Australian Unity, JBWere and Aviva.

Paul’s experience in delivering strong financial returns alongside measurable environmental, social and governance benefits is strongly aligned to VFMC’s purpose.