Executive team

Prior to his appointment to role of Chief Executive Officer of The Myer Foundation and Sidney Myer Fund, Leonard was an Executive Director of the Fox Private Group and the General Counsel, President Human Resources and a Director of the Linfox Group. Earlier in his career Leonard was in private practice at Clayton Utz, a leading Australian law firm.

Leonard is Co-Chair of Equality Australia. He is also a member of the advisory board of Kin Group. In addition, Leonard is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a former board member of Creative Partnerships Australia, Malthouse Theatre and of Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership, a past Chair of the Centre for Contemporary Photography, and a past Vice President of the Melbourne International Arts Festival.

Leonard holds Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Laws degrees from the University of Melbourne as well as a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment. He has completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School and is a graduate of the Cranlana Colloquium.

Leonard was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2024 for significant service to the philanthropic sector, to the LGBTIQA+ community, and to the arts.

Leonard Vary AM
Leonard Vary AM

Chief Executive Officer

Responsible for

Inclusion & Equality

Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowships

SILA: Not for Profit Leadership Program

Kirsty came to the philanthropic sector in 2007 following nearly ten years working in international development. As an Overseas Program Manager with International Women’s Development Agency Kirsty managed and monitored projects in Asia and the Pacific, and as Manager, New Initiatives she was responsible for developing new projects and seeking project funding from non-government sources, including philanthropy within Australia and internationally.

Kirsty  currently serves on the boards of Philanthropy Australia and the  Centre for Multicultural Youth, and is Vice president of the Melbourne Open Water Swimming Club. She has previously served on the Ross House Association Committee of Management and was for three years on the Board of Women’s Health West. She holds a B.A (Arabic)/B.Com (Applied Economics) from Deakin University.

Kirsty Allen
Kirsty Allen

Senior Program Manager

Hang is a qualified Chartered Accountant (CA) and was appointed to the role of Chief Financial Officer in April 2018, and Company Secretary in December 2017.

Through her previous senior roles at Mutual Trust, The Myer Family Company (MFCo) and KPMG, Hang has extensive experience in business partnering, financial accounting, taxation consulting, and wealth management. Hang has worked closely with a range of entities, including not-for-profit organisations, ultra-high net worth individuals and families, and ASX-listed and private companies.

Hang holds Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance) and Bachelor of Information Systems degrees from the University of Melbourne. In addition, Hang holds a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning, was awarded the 2015 National Dux from Kaplan Professional, and is ASIC RG 146 accredited.

Hang Truong
Hang Truong

Chief Financial Officer & Company Secretary

Responsible for

Sustainability & Environment

Merlyn Myer Fund

Jane has worked across the for-purpose, government and consulting sectors for 25 years.  Prior to The Myer Foundation and Sidney Myer Fund, Jane was Executive Officer of Aussie Farmers Foundation, and before that worked in strategic communications and media management. During her career, Jane has worked in a range of non-profit organisations including headspace, SunSmart at Cancer Council Victoria, the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund and youth homelessness charity Ladder. Jane is an advisor for the Groundswell giving circle. She has a Bachelor of Commerce from Melbourne University and a Diploma of Business (Governance).

Jane Thomas
Jane Thomas

Program Manager

Denise continues a successful administration career at The Myer Foundation and Sidney Myer Fund.  Her skills and experience accrued through previous positions held as Human Resources Manager, Administration Manager and Executive Assistant are well applied to provide great support to the team.  Denise is relishing the move into the philanthropic sector, further diversifying her background in real estate and healthcare.

Denise Minahan
Denise Minahan

Executive Assistant

Responsible for

Arts & Culture
Mental Health

Carl comes to philanthropy after many years in the performing arts. He has worked as an actor, producer, translator, dramaturg and marketer for companies including Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company, Malthouse Theatre and The Hayloft Project. He has also been a dance and theatre critic for RealTime Arts magazine. And his work as a communications strategist has taken him to the University of Melbourne Law School and ethical superannuation startup Future Super amongst others.

In 2014, he was awarded the inaugural Lloyd Martin Travelling Scholarship for Emerging Arts Leaders by Sydney Opera House. His research trip focused on digital engagement strategies and saw him spend time with MoMA's digital team in New York, the National Theatre in London and the Berlin Philharmonic.

He holds a Bachelor of Dramatic Arts (Acting) from the Victorian College of the Arts, as well as a Bachelor of Arts (English and Politics) from the University of Adelaide. He is a board member of Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership.

Carl Nilsson-Polias
Carl Nilsson-Polias

Program Manager