Bridging borders through philanthropy

Anita is the Chief Representative of Myriad Australia, a leader for philanthropic giving overseas and a trusted advisor to individuals, families, corporations, and foundations seeking to support their favourite causes anywhere across the globe.

Anita is currently the Steering Committee Chair of Myriad, the Alliance for borderless giving – dedicated to unlocking the full potential of international philanthropy and Steering Committee Chair of the Asia Pacific Giving Network – a network committed to unlocking the potential of cross-border giving in the region.

Describe your career trajectory and how you got to your current position.

I started my professional career in the banking and finance sector and quickly discovered the impact of corporate decisions on people and the community. I pivoted across a broad range of roles, from managing CSR programs and stewarding funds for charitable trusts and foundations to advising HNW clients on giving strategically. 

I was involved in some interesting conversations with clients then and soon realised the limitations Australians face when giving internationally. I knew this was an opportunity in the philanthropic sector and joined Give2Asia USA as a Country Advisor for Australia & New Zealand.

What does this role mean to you?

Becoming the founding Chief Representative of Give2Asia Australia and now Myriad Australia is an honour because it enables me to steward the generosity of Australian donors to worthy causes around the world.

Australia is in its formative stages of dabbling in giving overseas (due to legislative changes in 2017), and this role will enable me to contribute to shaping the future direction of international philanthropy in the sector. 

I thrive on connecting people, causes, networks and communities, and Myriad Australia brings this missing ecosystem to connect Australia to the rest of the world. 

Take us through a typical day of work for you.

It starts off with a chaotic morning with two young kids demanding breakfast! While packing school lunchboxes, I check emails between sips of coffee from my colleagues in Asia, Europe, Canada and the US. After school drop off, it’s working on the go while playing at the park with my 4yo or juggling play dates. As a working mum, flexibility is super important as nothing can be planned with young children around! 

I try to schedule my Zoom meetings during nap times, which can be a struggle, and more often than not – my 4yo will make regular appearances in my calls asking to watch Bluey. I spend the remainder of the afternoon negotiating on snacks, brushing Barbie’s hair and packing up play dough before school pick up.

I take a break once school has ended and jump back online in the evenings to finish some work. This is the time when my brain fires up without interruption. 

I wind down the evening by taking the dog for a walk and with a glass of wine. 

What is the biggest challenge you’ve encountered in your career, and how did you overcome it?

Life threw me a curve ball in 2017 while on maternity leave, and I was made redundant from an organisation where I had worked for over a decade. It was stressful while adjusting to life as a new mum and jobless. At the time, it felt like the end of the world and that I had failed in my corporate career. However looking back now, it was the best thing that could have happened as I was afforded the time to bond with my firstborn and carefully consider alternative pathways on how I could contribute to the world. 

It led me to Give2Asia. 

If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give yourself as you first embarked on your career?

Whatever happens, it won’t be the end of the world. Continue to persevere because what will be, will be. 

How do you unwind after work?

After getting the kids to bed, sharing a nice glass of wine with my husband and taking my 4yo Staffy, Sonny, for a walk. On the weekends, you will find me chauffeuring the kids around from one activity to another, birthday parties, playdates – the juggling is real!

What was the last thing you watched, read or listened to?

I have just started watching The Expats on Amazon Prime. It takes me back to my childhood when I frequently visited Hong Kong. The cinematography is beautiful and shows some of the famous markets and streets that I used to venture down as a little kid.