Myer Family Company’s Philanthropy Shake-Up

A longstanding leader in the philanthropic space has announced a major shake-up of its team, with three key staff members leaving.

Three members from the philanthropy team of MFCo, formerly known as the Myer Family Company, are moving on.

They include Head of Philanthropy, Peter Winneke, who is leaving after 13 years in the role.

MFCo provides private wealth strategies for individuals, families and institutions but is also well-known for driving philanthropy by assisting start-up philanthropic foundations.

General Manager of MFCo, Mathew Browning, wrote a letter to clients yesterday explaining that Client and Research Managers, Louise Doyle and Amanda Miller would also be leaving the organisation.

“While their departures were somewhat unexpected, each has their own reasons for leaving,” Browning said.

“After 13 years, Peter has decided to take a break to explore alternative options in the sector in the new year, Louise was approached to become CEO of the Besen Family Foundation, and given the job-share arrangement with Louise, Amanda felt it made sense for her to move on too to pursue her interest in impact investing with Impact Generation Partners.”

Browning praised all three for their contribution to MFCo and said the organisation would continue to remain in safe hands.

“We have been privileged to have had such talented and passionate individuals with MFCo and we are deeply indebted to them for their commitment and hard work,” he said.

“We are in the fortunate position of being able to draw on the extraordinary expertise in the sector and I am delighted to inform you that we have an exceptional replacement team in place.”

Browning said Simon Lewis, the head of philanthropy and community at Trust Company between 2012 and 2014 and an independent consultant in the Not for Profit sector, would be replacing Winneke as Acting Head of Philanthropy.

Winneke is considered a trailblazer in the philanthropic sector.

Mega-philanthropist Graham Tuckwell attributed Winneke with convincing him to go public with his $50 million donation to the Australian National University in a bid to encourage other people to join the giving trend.

“I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the significance of Peter’s contribution to philanthropy in Australia during his time with MFCo,” Browning said.

“Not only has he been instrumental in the creation of more than 100 private ancillary funds, he has advocated industry change, opened the eyes of many to the power of philanthropy and helped families create enduring philanthropic visions.

“Peter will be sorely missed by all of us, but we shall remain in close contact as friends and as advocates for philanthropy.”

Debra Morgan, who spent six years as program director with The Myer Foundation, has joined MFCo as a client manager to replace the shared role held by Amanda Miller and Louise Doyle.

Looking to the future, Browning said MFCo was “looking to bolster our grant research capability with a senior appointment in Sydney”.