Jenna Palumbo appointed Director, WA

SVA has appointed Jenna Palumbo as Director for Western Australia. Jenna brings a wealth of experience in finance and management and has worked with a number of pioneering organisations in the impact investment space. Most recently Jenna was Investment Director at Big Society Capital in London.

Jenna Palumbo
Jenna Palumbo

As well as playing a key role in managing WA’s $10m Social Enterprise Fund, SVA supports a number of social ventures across the state working to improve education and employment outcomes for people experiencing disadvantage. SVA’s consulting division shares knowledge and evidence to build social sector capacity and its impact investing team is introducing new capital and innovative financial models to help solve entrenched social problems.

Jenna’s role will include supporting SVA’s current venture portfolio as they grow their operations in WA as well as looking for opportunities to partner with more enterprises that show potential to make a tangible difference to the lives of some of WA’s most disadvantaged communities. Jenna will also support the development of new approaches to financing the social sector such as Social Benefit Bonds.

Jenna commented ‘I’m incredibly excited to have the opportunity to help generate better social outcomes for people in WA, and to share the lessons we learn across the country.’

‘I have had the pleasure of being involved in a number of ground-breaking projects in the UK, particularly in the area of impact investing, and I look forward to contributing to similar efforts here in Australia.’

Jenna’s expertise includes social impact bonds, policy advocacy, financial modelling and corporate strategy. Alongside Big Society Capital, she has held positions with Social Finance, Azure Capital and KPMG Corporate Finance, as well as advisory roles with Bridges Ventures, RBS Microfinance Fund, and the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.

Current ventures supported by SVA with operations in WA include the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME), Beacon Foundation, CareerTrackers and The Song Room.