WHO WE ARE

Community Finance

Our Team Members

James Palmer

Chief Executive | BA LLB

James is the Chief Executive and founded Community Finance in 2019. James was previously Chief Executive of Christian Savings, Aotearoa’s only charity that is also a licensed non-bank deposit taker, managing almost $250m. He previously practiced as a commercial lawyer.
James is passionate about impact investment positively transforming Aotearoa and using finance as a force for good. James is the 2021 INFINZ University of Auckland Business School Emerging Leader.

Andrew Allan

Chief Financial Officer | BCom (CA), BProp

Andrew is the Chief Financial Officer, joining Community Finance in October 2020.
Andrew was previously the General Manager of Finance and Operations at Christian Savings. Prior to this he worked across numerous roles within Finance at Vodafone NZ and was an auditor at Ernst & Young.
The opportunity to combine his experience as a qualified chartered accountant, degree in property and passion for supporting the wider community was a catalyst for joining the Community Finance team.

Luke Strom

CHIEF OPERATING  OFFICER | BA LLB (HONS), MTAXS (DIST)

Luke is the Chief Operating Officer of Community Finance.  Before joining Community Finance, he praticed as a property and commercial lawyer.  He is passionate about creating positive social outcomes through impact investments.  In particular, he is passionate about playing a part in the delivery of healthy and affordable homes at scale.

Emily Roughton

Chief Risk Officer

Emily is a Registered Legal Executive and the Chief Risk Officer of Community Finance. Prior to joining the Community Finance team, she worked as the Risk Officer for a Non-Bank Deposit Taker and in that role was responsible for review and oversight of risk management across all facets of the business. Emily is responsible for ensuring that Community Finance’s Governance, Risk, Compliance and Control Strategies are designed and operating effectively.
Emily brings with her a combined experience of nine years in the legal profession and is a great addition to the team.

Catherine Linton

Executive Assistant

Catherine is an experienced Executive Assistant who previously supported James in his role of CEO of Christian Savings. After returning from many years working overseas in the not-for-profit world, she was for 5 years Executive Assistant to the CEO of World Vision, and is delighted to continue working for organisations that aim to improve the lives of New Zealanders.

Shelley Stoddart

OPERATIONS MANAGER| BCA

Shelley has over 16 years working in a variety of finance business partnering roles in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. She has extensive experience managing projects, streamlining processes and implementing new systems along with financial management. Prior to joining Community Finance, Shelley was the European Business Manager for the Communications, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability team for Deutsche bank.
Shelley is passionate about people, the environment, health and wellness and strongly believes that the platform Community Finance has created bridges the gap and generates social or environmental benefit as well as a financial return for investors.

Ashleigh Yee

FINANCIAL ANALYST | BCOM (CA)

Ashleigh is a Chartered Accountant who has joined Community Finance as a Financial Analyst. Prior to joining the team, she was based in Wellington, where she worked as a Senior Consultant at Deloitte. While Ashleigh has worked across multiple industries, she is delighted to have the opportunity to apply her skills and work with Community Finance to help deliver quality affordable housing in New Zealand.

Community Finance

Board

Shamubeel Eaqub

Shamubeel Eaqub

BCOM(Hons), CFA

An experienced economist with over a decade’s industry experience, Shamubeel is also an author, media commentator and a thought leading public speaker who makes economics accessible. Shamubeel provides economic consultancy on a wide range of business and policy topics.

He sits on several boards of charities and commercial firms and prides himself on providing a voice for those who are unheard.

Jo Glen

Jo Glen

Jo brings over 30 years of stockbroking and investment banking operations, and experience of financial services gained across both global and local companies, including 20 years with ABN AMRO. Specialising in risk and compliance over the last decade, she played a key role in a project to amalgamate four financial institutions, culminating in the successful issue of a banking licence for Heartland Bank.

Jo provides strong governance and regulatory oversight to the Community Finance Board. A keen social conscience and a desire to contribute has seen Jo serve on boards, community groups and associations. This community involvement and her specialised skillset means she is a valuable addition to the Community Finance Board.

Steven Moe

Steven Moe

LLB(Hons), BA

Steven has 19 years’ experience practising law around the world. He is currently a Partner at Parry Field Lawyers in Christchurch where his focus areas include start-up companies, tech companies, investors and social enterprises.

Passionate about empowering impact, Steven published the book “Social Enterprises in New Zealand: A Legal Handbook” in 2017, designed to raise awareness of the work of social enterprises while offering information to social entrepreneurs and providing legal information to assist in structuring new social enterprises.

This mix of passion and experience lends itself well to his role as Chair of the Community Finance Board.