AICC(WA)'s ECU futureNOW Series Sundowner featuring John Poynton AM CitWA, Executive Chairman, Azure Capital Limited & Chairman, Giving West

AICC(WA)’s ECU futureNOW series (FNS) Sundowner

featuring

Mr John Poynton AM Cit WA, Executive Chairman, Azure Capital Limited & Chairman, Giving West

and

Mr Larry Lopez, Partner, Australian Venture Consultants & former Silicon Valley Bank Financial Group Executive - Co founder of the Bank’s international venture capital practice-a global powerhouse in technology finance

speaking on

“Venture Philanthropy – investing in your community through giving”

Over the past several years, the discussion around Philanthropy in Western Australia has increased and is gaining momentum. As great concentrations of wealth have been created in this region, there has been increased interest in re-investing that wealth in social and cultural initiatives and projects through donations. Venture Philanthropy is a practice that relates to donating money to seed or fully fund projects and ventures that create ongoing benefits. There is a perception that WA needs to increase its culture of giving. Is this true? What can we do as both large and small donors to give back to our communities? Two of WA’s most successful entrepreneurs and thought leaders in the future models of commercialisation, will discuss these questions and above all, how can we create not only a culture of giving, but also a sustainable system of Venture Philanthropy in our region.
John Poynton AM Cit WA

John is the Chairman of Azure Capital Limited. He is a Director of the Future Fund Board of Guardians and Crown Perth and is the Chairman of Council of Christ Church Grammar School and Giving West. He is also a member of Social Ventures Australia. Previously, John was a Chairman of Celebrate WA, ASX Perth, Fleetwood, Alinta and the West Australian Museum Foundation – Deputy Chairman of Austal Limited – Director of Multiplex; Member of the Higher Education Endowment Fund Advisory Board, Payments System Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia, EFIC and of the Business School at the University of Western Australia.

John is a Life Member and Senior Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA), a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and of the Australian Institute of Management (AIM). John is a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia and is a past recipient of a WA Citizen of the Year award in the industry and commerce category. John holds a Bachelor of Commerce and an honorary Doctor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia.

Larry Lopez

Larry is a Partner at Perth based Australian Venture Consultants, a solution driven strategic consulting practice focused on creating successful commercial outcomes for innovative projects, companies and institutions.

Prior to moving to Perth in 2006, Lopez spent 17 years at Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) Financial Group, a publicly traded US financial services company (NASDAQ: SIVB). Over the years he held numerous senior and executive positions in commercial banking, venture capital, strategy, private equity, asset management and wealth management. Larry has served on a number of boards, and is currently a director of several organizations.