With a double degree in commerce and science (plus a diploma in French), Anna began her career at PwC in the insolvency and business restructuring team.
Her first major assignment had her living in Albury for four months, helping steer a struggling automotive parts manufacturer through voluntary administration. “We didn’t shut it down; we kept running it with the goal of selling it,” Anna recalls. “There were 300 automotive workers whose livelihoods were at stake. I was in charge of the employee side — negotiating with unions, handling redundancies, hearing people’s stories. It was a huge responsibility straight out of uni.”
That experience shaped Anna’s perspective: success meant not just good numbers but respecting the people involved. “We were in a position of control over their jobs. It was about being conscious of that power, building trust, and turning a difficult situation into something better.”
Fast forward to today, and Anna brings that same blend of analytical rigour and human-centred thinking to MPF’s work.
Her role is to ensure MPF’s programs — from school re-engagement initiatives like Elevate at Western Port Secondary College to early learning, literacy levels, and housing and family support work — are all backed by strong data and clear measures of success.
“Schools often know what they’re tracking,” Anna explains, “but we can add value by asking the next question: What story does this data tell? and What will give donors confidence their support is being well invested?”
For Anna, evaluation is not just about charts and spreadsheets: “You can’t just put up graphs without a narrative. The data needs a story — something that explains not just outcomes, but areas of growth and opportunity to try something new.”
Anna’s move to MPF was also personal. “After having my third child, I started thinking about how my work aligned with my values,” she says. “I knew I was ready for a change from corporate life where so much is about the bottom line only. At MPF, I feel like we’re all working for the same purpose – numbers still play a vital role – but ultimately this work is about children and a strong community purpose.”
She highlights MPF’s culture of high expectations balanced with genuine support. “Feedback here makes me feel like I’m contributing in a meaningful way — and that what I do matters.”
For MPF’s donors and partners, Anna’s work helps transform generosity into measurable impact. Evaluation ensures funding decisions are informed, transparent, and effective. And that successes (and learnings) are shared openly.
“Ultimately, our goal is to help community partners measure what they’re implementing. In schools that’s about commitment to providing high quality education,” Anna says. “Evaluation is how we know we’re on the right track, and how we give donors the assurance that their support is making a difference.”
Philanthropy isn’t just about funding programs, it’s about backing strategies that are bold, learning from what doesn’t work, and ensuring every dollar invested leads to better futures. Expertise like Anna’s is vital to making sure that happens.
