Co-CEO
RIAA Staff
With a distinguished 20-year career at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Estelle Parker brings crucial expertise in government relations, policy-making, and themes important to responsible investors, including human rights and the SDGs. As a leader driving RIAA’s research, certification, policy, standards, and working group programs, her leadership has elevated these initiatives to achieve heightened levels of professionalism, impact, and value delivery for our members, aligning seamlessly with RIAA’s strategic objectives.
Beyond her organisational impact, Estelle is a respected figure in the responsible investment landscape, serving as a strong advocate on influential global and government committees, including the Principles for Responsible Investment’s Global Policy Reference Group, the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance and the Australian Government’s Natural Capital Working Group. Additionally, she serves as the Convenor of the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures official Consultation Group for Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, and the Steering Committee for the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute. She sits on the inaugural Advisory Board of the Melbourne Biodiversity Institute and on the Nature-led Resilience Strategic Advisory Group. She is also Vice President of the Council of the Australian Institute for International Affairs (Victoria).
Co-CEO
Dean Hegarty
Dean is committed to cultivating meaningful engagement opportunities for members and ensuring the delivery of high-quality membership values that significantly contributes to the sector. Passionate about championing ESG investment, Dean collaborates closely with global and local asset managers, super funds, Kiwisaver providers, financial advisors, and wealth platforms to align capital with sustainable outcomes.
His strategic leadership has played a pivotal role in elevating RIAA’s presence in both Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, resulting in substantial growth and transformative organisational changes. With over a decade of experience leading teams in the not-for-profit sector, Dean has driven remarkable growth in membership and events while forging essential industry partnerships. Dean also serves as a member of the National Advisory Board on Impact Investing in New Zealand and sits on the GovCo of the New Zealand Stewardship Code.
Head of Certification
Shalini Samuel
Shalini plays a pivotal role at RIAA, spearheading the oversight of the organisation’s esteemed Certification Program, Sustainability Classifications, and related projects. Shalini’s role is vital as the financial industry faces increased scrutiny and a need for accurate product labeling. Her dedication ensures RIAA’s Certification Program remains robust and trustworthy in an ever-evolving market landscape.
With 10 years of experience in ESG investment and certification, her expertise strengthens RIAA’s position. She has contributed significantly to the responsible investment and broader sustainability industry through organisations like B Lab Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, Minderoo Foundation, and the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment. With a wealth of expertise, Shalini brings valuable insights from her extensive background, benefiting RIAA and its mission as a whole.
Head of Operations
Brendan Bailey
Brendan leads RIAA’s internal operations, with oversight over the structures, systems and processes that ensure the smooth running of the organisation.
Prior to joining RIAA, Brendan led the operations of the Education and Safeguarding Services team at the Australian Childhood Foundation (ACF), building on extensive experience as a trauma-responsive education consultant and manager at ACF, Sexual Health Victoria and Berry Street.
Brendan brings to this role a passion for systems-informed organisational psychology and the potential for organisations such as RIAA to create transformational change. He holds a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology, a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education, and a Bachelor of Arts.
Head of Policy and Advocacy
Nayanisha Samarakoon
Nayanisha is the Head of Policy & Advocacy at the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia (RIAA).
Nayanisha is a former lawyer with extensive federal public sector experience in governance, corporate compliance and regulation. Before RIAA, she was a Senior Manager at the Australian Government corporate and financial services regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Nayanisha was the project lead on the Australian Government’s thematic review into greenwashing by ‘green’ or ‘ethical’ managed funds and superannuation funds, culminating in the publication of industry and consumer guidance.
Outside of work, Nayanisha volunteers as a director and Chair of Governance Committee at Juno Services Inc., a not-for-profit family violence and homelessness service provider, and Fitted for Work, a charity focused on helping women, non-binary, and gender-diverse jobseekers to become job-ready, find meaningful employment.
Marketing & Communications Manager
Ada Tso
As Marketing and Communications Manager, Ada leads the organisation’s marketing efforts in positioning RIAA as a trusted and knowledgeable hub in responsible investment and driving its membership value.
With over 8 years of experience in marketing and media, Ada’s passion lies in creating compelling stories and designing customer-centric campaigns that deliver value and impact.
Manager of Client Services
Michelle Lilley
As Manager of Client Services, Michelle brings to RIAA a wealth of experience in structuring and managing responsible investment, measuring and managing (financial and impact) performance, and learning through ongoing monitoring and evaluation. She has a strong commercial outlook and social responsibility for her work and is excited by new opportunities that bring together the resources and expertise required to move capital towards a more sustainable economy.
She is a business professional with a deep knowledge and passion across diverse sectors and industries, understanding the true value of investment extends much wider than a simple financial return.
Michelle has extensive experience working alongside First Nations entrepreneurs to start and grow enterprises, raise capital and achieve impact that enables economic empowerment through the sustainable development of business.
Working Groups Manager
Jessica Rowe
Jessica manages RIAA’s working group program. She brings eight years’ experience in project management, community engagement and grant management through her roles as a project manager, humanitarian worker, and grant manager with various non-governmental organisations. Jessica worked as a Grant Manager and Protection Manager in Iraq, Ukraine, and the occupied Palestinian territories. Jessica holds a Post Graduate Diploma Laws (Human Rights Law, and International Criminal Law), Master of International Development Practice and a Bachelor of Arts (Global).
Events Coordinator
Briony Doyle Galovic
Briony supports the RIAA team and our members by managing all the logistics and communications for our busy calendar of conferences, webinars and events throughout the year. She also ensures we deliver on our commitments to our sponsors.
Prior to joining RIAA, Briony has over 6 years’ experience successfully managing corporate and hospitality events. She is based in the Melbourne office.
Client Services Officer
Steven Ho
Steven is a seasoned business development professional with over 10 years of experience in sales and account management across the healthcare, advertising, and association sectors. At RIAA, Steven leverages his commercial expertise within the engagement team to drive growth in sponsorship, membership, and certification.
Operations Coordinator
Zoe Symons
As Operations Coordinator, Zoe has oversight of financial systems and operational assistance. She works closely with leadership to ensure smooth running of RIAA’s budget & finances, provides HR support, and ongoing assistance with IT.
Zoe comes to RIAA with a broad range of expertise in the not-for-profit sector, providing high-level financial and human resources guidance in a large government-funded organisation. She brings to RIAA extensive experience in working with indigenous communities and Native Title.
Marketing & Communications Officer
Isabella Marotta
As Marketing and Communications Officer, Isabella is responsible for supporting the execution of RIAA’s marketing strategy. She is passionate about crafting compelling communications that resonate with audiences, align with organisational goals and deliver value. Prior to this role, Isabella worked as Working Groups Officer at RIAA. Isabella holds a Bachelor of Arts, with a major in Communications and Media Studies and a Master of Strategic Communications Management from Monash University.
Digital Marketing Adviser
Dave Jamdar
Dave is responsible for the RIAA website rebuild to ensure high-quality, user-centric and secure digital experiences for RIAA members. In addition, he will help manage digital channels to deliver engaging and relevant member content. Dave has five years of experience in marketing, across financial services and IT.
Senior Responsible Investment Analyst
Anson Chan
Anson leads the implementation of the Responsible Investment Standard and Guidance Notes through assessments of financial products. In addition to conducting assessments, Anson contributes to ensuring that Guidance Notes stay refined, up-to-date and fit for purpose through his engagement with RIAA members. Currently, he manages product claims checks within the Certification Program and is responsible for analyst mentorship and management of the Certification Administration Officer.
Anson holds a Master of Arts (major in mathematics), Certificate in ESG Investing (CFA UK) and is a Charted Financial Analyst (CFA). Prior to joining RIAA he was an experienced equity research analyst focusing on emerging markets, and has published equity research as well as ESG thematic reports.
Policy & Advocacy Officer
Tori Huggins
As Policy & Advocacy Officer, Tori supports RIAA’s Policy & Advocacy Program to achieve its objectives of driving standards of responsible investment that align with real sustainability outcomes, support investors to develop industry-led solutions to sustainability issues and influence Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand government policy and programs in support of a healthy and sustainable environment, society and economy.
Tori holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne, majoring in Politics and International Studies. Prior to this role Tori was a Responsible Investment Analyst within RIAA’s Certification Program.
Certification Administration Officer
Lauren Clark
As Certification Administration Officer, Lauren is responsible for the efficient running of RIAA’s Responsible Investment Certification Program, providing administrative and secretarial services to RIAA’s Certification Team. She is passionate about sustainability and social responsibility and is currently in her final semester studying a Master of Environment and Sustainability at Monash University.
Lauren has extensive administration experience, representing Altiorem as a learning partner for Regen Melbourne. She has volunteered as an Access Monash Mentor and was also a Regional Representative for The Orangutan Project. Lauren is eager to contribute to RIAA and the wider responsible investment industry.