Episode 31
The Black Box and breaking the model for greater good
Purpose of Wealth Podcast
About the episode
We’ve all heard about blended families. But have you heard about blended finance?
It’s surfacing as a significant trend in philanthropy, to de-risk investment and mobilise larger pools of private capital to benefit community and the environment, and it’s helping more families rethink their approach to giving so they can have more impact.
In this episode host Narelle Hooper speaks with Victoria Stoddard and Alan Schwartz AO.
Victoria is Director of Philanthropy at Mutual Trust whose role helps bridge the worlds of NFPs and private wealth. Alan is Chair of Trawalla Group, and describes himself as a “Capitalist, Philanthropist and Social Activist”. And as we discover, Alan’s on a mission.
For more information on Transition Accelerator, head to transitionaccelerator.com.au and the Trawalla Group at trawallagroup.com.au
Featuring
Narelle Hooper - Host
During more than 25 years as a business and finance journalist and editor Narelle has worked for Australia’s leading media groups including the ABC, Fairfax Media and SBS TV. She’s a former Editor of the Australian Financial Review’s BOSS Magazine and was founding co-chair of the Financial Review’s Women of Influence Awards.
Narelle is also a member of the board of the The Ethics Centre. She has held a number of non executive director roles over the past decade, including with the Tasmanian Development Board, the Documentary Australia Foundation and with women's entrepreneurship accelerator SBE Australia, which runs the Springboard Enterprises program.
Alan Schwartz AO - Chair, Trawalla Group and Chair and Founder, Transition Accelerator
Alan’s professional life has transitioned from business builder to active investor, philanthropist and social entrepreneur. In 2007, he and his wife, Carol Schwartz AO, founded Trawalla Group and Trawalla Foundation to support their investments and philanthropy.
In 2017 Alan launched the Universal Commons Project to understand how business, the economy and public benefit can be better aligned. He chose to apply the insights from this initiative to tackling the climate crisis – something he describes as a menacing example of market failure.
Through the family office, Alan deploys capital across the continuum to enable climate action – from investing commercially in climate solutions to funding advocacy and policy work to drive systemic change. Transition Accelerator is the cornerstone of this work, using catalytic capital from private foundations to get high-impact climate and nature projects off the ground.
Alan is a past chair and life member of Philanthropy Australia, reflecting his long commitment to strengthening the philanthropic sector in Australia. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in June 2023 for his contributions to business and community.
Alan is the father of four magnificent children and eight times a grandfather.
Victoria Stoddard - Director, Philanthropy
Victoria supports families in New South Wales and South Australia to give with purpose, having worked with philanthropists and wealthy families for the last 15 years.
Victoria has an extensive working knowledge of the not-for-profit sector and has previously held senior roles overseeing high-impact philanthropy programs for leading healthcare and medical research organisations such as NeuRA (Neuroscience Research Australia) and St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney.
Prior to pursuing a career in the for-purpose sector, Victoria held marketing roles working for Goldman Sachs and the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development in London.
Victoria has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and an MBA.
Victoria is also a Certified Advisor with 21/64 New York
