The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), the only national foundation specifically focused on ensuring the social and economic strength of remote, rural and regional communities, announces the appointment of Alison Maclaren as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Business Operations Manager.

In this role, Alison will be responsible for managing FRRR’s finances, working closely with the Finance and Audit Committee to manage FRRR’s investment portfolio, and will also serve as FRRR’s company secretary. In addition, Alison will oversee the day to day running of the HR, IT and shared services functions.

Alison brings more than 25 years’ experience working across the not-for-profit, private and public sectors. Most recently, Alison was working in the pharmaceutical and health sectors but she also brings deep experience across many sectors having worked in the audit divisions of Deloitte and KPMG in Melbourne and Canberra.

FRRR CEO, Natalie Egleton, said that FRRR is delighted to be welcoming Alison to the team.

“Alison brings an unusual breadth of experience and a skillset to the table that will be highly valuable to FRRR. Her perspectives and insights from having worked in big firms, in the public sector and for an NFP community health organisation, coupled with her past operations management experience, mean that she is well qualified to support us as we enter the next phase of our growth.”

“We’re thrilled to have her joining us – even in the short time that she’s already been with FRRR, it’s become clear that she will be a real asset to the team,” added Egleton.

Maclaren highlighted that when she learned about this role, she knew it was the right move for her both personally and professionally.

“In my 20’s, I spent some time working in a refugee camp in Malaysia and the sense of purpose I gained from that experience has never left me. “

“I loved my corporate career but I felt drawn to doing something that contributed more to society – a role that had social value as well as economic value. When I saw that FRRR was searching for a CFO, I knew it would be the perfect move for me, especially as I live locally.”

Maclaren graduated from Deakin University with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting, Economics and Commercial Law (Awarded) and holds a Graduate Diploma in Accounting. She is a Chartered Accountant and Governance and Risk Specialist with the Chartered and Governance Institutes of Australia.

“I’m excited to be joining such a dedicated team and am thrilled to be helping FRRR to work towards their vision of a vibrant, resilient and revitalised remote, rural and regional Australia,” said Maclaren.

When not working, Alison enjoys spending time with her family on their small acreage property in Central Victoria, competing at equestrian events, skiing and hiking in the high country, and generally being active and adventurous.