Category: Retired Line 2

Paul Bernasconi

Paul Bernasconi, MAppFin, GAICD

Paul’s private advisory work augments his extensive global financial markets background having worked in Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Tokyo, New York and Sydney throughout his investment banking career.

With over 25 years’ experience with institutional banking, specialising in currencies and financial risk management, he also has a strong business development history. His client relationships have spanned multi-national and domestic asset managers, sovereign wealth funds, private and public investment funds, corporate treasuries, financial intermediaries, not-for-profit organisations, unlisted companies and high net wealth individuals

During his career he has also had senior involvement in graduate and intern recruitment programs, mentoring roles and actively participated in community and charitable giving initiatives.

Paul holds a Masters of Applied Finance from Macquarie University and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

“I was honoured to join the CRBF Board to help realise Cooper’s  vision of changing the current trajectory of sarcoma. Setting that seemingly Herculean goal was typical of a lad who was raised to relished a challenge, involved those about him, and pursued a sense of justice, despite knowing those efforts were only likely to benefit others. That sense of mateship, good humour and selflessness were the pillars of friendship between Coops and one of his great sporting allies and adversaries; my nephew Matt Jones.
I am proud to be part of pursuing Cooper’s mission in his absence, on behalf of his dear friend, my nephew Matthew,  and in the shared hope of preventing others from ever walking in such pernicious footsteps. “

Matthew Lawrance (Retired)

B.Com (Accounting), FCA, MBA (Executive)

Matthew is an experienced senior corporate executive with success in leading businesses in CEO, CFO and COO roles. He has successfully delivered strategic business outcomes in listed companies within the financial services, retail and airline industries over the past 25 years.

Most recently, Matthew spent 14 years with NAB in senior roles across the Banking and Wealth businesses. Prior to joining NAB, Matthew occupied senior Finance roles at both Woolworths Ltd and Qantas Airways Group. Matthew started his career in professional services at Ernst & Young, specialising in Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency.

In addition to his voluntary Board role at CRBF, Matthew currently is the Chairman of two other companies, one a software development business and another specializing in logistics and shared services. Matthew also sits in a voluntary capacity on the Committee of Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club. Whilst at NAB, Matthew was a Director of the Financial Services Council.

Matthew first met Cooper, aged 6, through sport at the Easts Bulldogs Junior AFL Club. Matthew coached some of the teams that his son and Cooper both played in.

As a parent across both AFL and cricket seasons, Matthew knew Cooper well and always admired his courage and willingness to “compete to his best” whenever given an opportunity. Cooper was extremely talented at everything he participated in and was often sought after to back up for another game if the age group above needed extra numbers…which he would always be up for…and be able to hold his own across all age groups!

Matthew is committed to continuing the inspirational work started by Cooper himself through the   CRBF, with its unwavering commitment to Sarcoma Research, Awareness and Patient Support.

 

Jennifer McAsey

Jennifer McAsey has been a journalist for more than 30 years, working in print, broadcast media, film and as a lecturer and communications specialist.

She began her career in Victoria, working for the ABC and then for The Age, before being transferred to Sydney to work as the newspaper’s bureau chief.

She spent two years lecturing at Western Sydney University, and then more than 15 years as a senior journalist at The Australian newspaper, working as a feature writer, section editor and later specialising in sport. She has won numerous awards for her coverage of sports including the AFL, athletics and netball.

In 2009 Jennifer was appointed General Manager, Communications, at the Swans, utilising her expertise to enhance media coverage of the club.

For the past five years years she has been a freelance researcher and writer, and most recently wrote the coaching memoir for former Sydney Swans coach, Paul Roos.