FAC Next Chapter Board Leadership
First Australians Capital is pleased to announce the Board appointments of Jocelyn King as Chairperson and Abhilash Mudaliar, Deputy Chairperson, to guide the organisation in the next exciting chapter of FAC’s growth.
After eight years as Chairperson and former Managing Director, Leah Armstrong is retiring as Chairperson. As a co-Founder, alongside Adrian Appo, Jocelyn King and Jane Pound, Leah expressed the next chapter in FAC’s growth will be an exciting time and the Board of FAC has planned this succession as part of the governance process to ensure that the FAC Board has the cultural knowledge, experience and commitment to drive this next chapter.
Leah said “It has been a great privilege to have led FAC and to be leaving the organisation with the right leadership and a solid foundation. The journey to establishing an Indigenous-led community investment model has taken more than 15 years and now FAC is leading new thinking on impact investment for Indigenous businesses and communities.”
The FAC Board acknowledged Leah’s contribution and dedication to championing the rights and opportunities of Indigenous Australians, focusing on enhancing economic participation and fostering community resilience through her leadership and advocacy efforts.
As Jocelyn King steps up into her new position as Chairperson of FAC, and member of the FAC Investment Committee, she mentions: “I am honoured to be able to pay my respects to Leah in this moment and to recognise her enormous contribution to Indigenous economic self-determination, not just here at FAC, but well beyond. She has been one of the driving forces behind the scenes of Indigenous economic development over the past 30 years
“I have been fortunate to have called Leah a mentor and a friend, and I am honoured to pick up the baton that she has passed on. Thank you, Leah, for your energy, passion, vision, and commitment to the community. Leah leaves FAC in a strong position, but the work is not over. It is just beginning, and it is with a deep sense of responsibility that I take on the role of Chair for the next phase of the journey.”
As FAC shifts into this next stage, it is dedicated to empowering First Nations communities by providing financial and business strategic support to catalyse Indigenous entrepreneurship and drive meaningful social and economic change.
Abhilash Mudalair, FAC’s Deputy Chairperson also added, “I’d like to start by thanking Leah for her years of deep, substantial contributions to the establishment and evolution of First Australians Capital. Under her leadership, FAC has become a leading voice and player in Indigenous economic development across Australia. As Leah steps into a new chapter, I am honoured to take on the role of Deputy Chairperson at FAC. Indigenous businesses across Australia are full of ideas and energy that remain largely unfulfilled.
“FAC is an organisation that is at the vanguard of change, seeking to support Indigenous communities in realising their economic dreams and, importantly, doing so on terms that are culturally appropriate. There exists tremendous potential to channel capital and resources towards this economic transformation and I look forward to helping FAC on this journey.”
As at 1 July 2024, the Board of FAC now comprises:
Jocelyn King (Chair), Abhilash Mudaliar (Deputy Chair), Gordon Cole, Karen Iles (Robinson), Brian Wyborn, Jane Pound, and Hylton Mathews.
