Conversations for change
A FUNDRAISER FOR FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT
You’re invited to a new kind of fundraiser.
Forget the dress code and formal pitches - Good Return is breaking the mould with an interactive, personal event that puts you in the conversation. Hear first hand stories from our field experts from locations including Solomon Islands, Indonesia, and remote Australia, and our international specialists in gender lens investing and digital financial literacy. Move between tables, ask questions directly, and connect with others who care about tackling poverty, climate change, and inequality.
With great nibbles, drinks, and inspiring conversations, this is your chance to experience financial inclusion up close—and be part of the change. Our event partner and host Macquarie Group is generously matching a portion of all Conversations for Change donations.
When: 5.30-8pm, Tuesday 28 October 2025
Where: Macquarie Group, 1 Elizabeth Street Sydney
Get the donations going early and a portion will be matched by our generous event partner Macquarie - donate via this link.
Introducing our MC: Martin Karafilis
Drawing on his wealth of experience as a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and go-to business advisor, Martin is an ideal host for a night dedicated to supporting people building businesses in our region. With a deep commitment to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for under-represented entrepreneurs - a passion cultivated during his time as CEO of the not-for-profit Fishburners, Australia's leading startup community - he is ready to drive the conversation about change for our community's entrepreneurs.
Special guest: Jillian R Broadbent AC
Serving 15 years on the Reserve Bank of Australia Board and holding many senior leadership and board positions across major finance and banking corporations and institutions, Jillian will get the conversation started by chatting about issues close to her heart – the generosity of Australians, the empowerment of women and regional development.
Meet our conversation starters
Our experts will be leading the night’s conversations for change.
Ayu Bulan is Good Return’s dynamic Indonesia Country Coordinator, leading the charge on our new CAFE Initiative to equip women entrepreneurs with vital financial skills. Passionate about breaking down barriers for women and empowering the next generation, Ayu will share why young people in Indonesia are at the heart of building a future that’s financially resilient and full of opportunity.
With a wealth of experience in banks and UN agencies, Elizabeth Sodu is Good Return’s powerhouse Program Coordinator in Solomon Islands. She’s on a mission to tackle one of the world’s lowest financial inclusion rates, travelling to remote islands to connect women with financial services and bring them into the system. Elizabeth will share how her work is opening doors for women and communities, and why building financial resilience in Solomon Islands matters now more than ever.
Natasha Short leads Kimberley Jiyigas, our partner in Northern Australia, and works with Indigenous women entrepreneurs who are reimagining self-employment and business as powerful tools for leadership and social change. Natasha is helping drive a movement of empowered women, creating opportunity and lasting impact across their communities.
With learning and training central to Good Return's mission, Design Coordinator Meldy Pelejo brings essential skills for developing educational programs that build financial skills for vulnerable communities in the region. Based in the Philippines, she offers fascinating insights into how the financial sector can be a powerful force for change, helping to build inclusion and transform mindsets.
After more than 17 years working in financial inclusion and social development, Rose Ramilo knows a thing or two about designing learning tools that actually change behaviour and help people manage their money with confidence. She has designed the curriculum for Good Return’s flagship CAFE Initiative and is at the forefront of the digital finance revolution, making sure more people can access and benefit from safe, inclusive financial tools.
As our Pacific Manager, Marlene Dutta's extensive experience across the region—including Fiji, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea—means that a conversation with her will open you up to learning about diverse communities and cultures. She'll also transport you to her home in Fiji, where she is deeply embedded in the women's entrepreneur community and works to build their confidence and fair access to finance.
Our Nepal Country Coordinator, Sanjeeb Panthee brings financial education and access to finance programs to Nepalese communities. His deep knowledge of Nepal's cultural and economic landscape is a huge asset, particularly the extra need to support women and their families when many men move overseas for work. He often joins our partners to travel to some of the most remote villages in the country.
Based in Iloilo, Catalina Teresa Deveza Yap works across the Philippines to make financial education more inclusive and practical. From helping more people access digital tools like My Money Tracker to spotlighting learner success stories, Cata combines her passion for gender and social inclusion with hands-on knowledge of what works on the ground. Conversations with her will open up fresh perspectives on how digital tools, partnerships, and community voices are reshaping financial empowerment in the Philippines.
Anvesha Punjani is our monitoring and evaluation expert and has over 15 years’ experience turning research into real change. She’s passionate about using evidence to design better projects and measure what really works for communities. With a background in health, education, microfinance, and more, Anvesha brings both big-picture insights and practical on-the-ground experience from India, Cambodia, and beyond. Chatting with her is a chance to explore how data and evidence can shape smarter, more impactful development.
Maneth Pol, Cambodia Program Officer, is deeply passionate about empowering women entrepreneurs in Cambodia to gain the skills and confidence needed to grow their businesses. With over 10 years of experience in working with women-led (MSMEs) enterprises and young startups across diverse sectors—including education, health, agriculture, manufacture, and digital or technology, she brings inspiring insights into how training and coaching our program participants in the financial and business management can transform their livelihoods and create ripple effects on their families and communities. A conversation with Maneth offers rich perspectives on women’s economic empowerment and the dynamic energy of Cambodia’s next generation of entrepreneurs.
