MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Simon McKeon, Board Member of Nonprofit VisionFund, Named “Australian of the Year”

Simon McKeon, a board member of VisionFund International, a nonprofit organization that manages the microfinance institutions (MFIs) of Christian relief organization World Vision International, recently was named “Australian of the Year” by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard for his philanthropic endeavors. Mr McKeon served on the board of World Vision International from 1994 to 2005 and has been on the board of VisionFund International since it was established in 2003. He has had over twenty-five years of investment banking experience with Macquarie Group, a US-based finance organization. He also serves as President of the Australian Government’s Takeovers Panel, a peer review body that regulates corporate control transactions, and Chairman of both Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia and Business for Millennium Development, an alliance of Australian businesses that engage in profitable activities that address global poverty reduction.

By Julie Moksim, Research Associate

About World Vision International: World Vision is a private Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to alleviating poverty. It is active in three areas: providing immediate disaster relief; developing long-term, sustainable programs; and sponsoring children in need. In 2009, World Vision provided USD 2.4 billion in aid for relief and rehabilitation, community development and international development programs.

About VisionFund International: VisionFund International was created in 2003 as a wholly owned subsidiary of World Vision with the purpose of managing its microfinance institutions (MFIs). In 2008, VisionFund had 47 affiliate MFIs, with an overall portfolio of USD 397 million, approximately 604,000 active borrowers and borrower deposits totaling USD 11.6 million.

Sources and Resources:

VisionFund International: “VisionFund Board Member Honored as Australian of the Year” by Brad Stave, information provided by VisionFund International to MicroCapital

Australian of the Year Awards: Australian of the Year 2011, Simon McKeon, Social Entrepreneur, http://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/recipients/?m=simon-mckeon-2011

The Australian National Affairs: “Top Honor to Simon McKeon for Helping the Desperate Find Hope”, http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/top-honour-to-simon-mckeon-for-helping-the-desperate-find-hope/story-fn59niix-1225994546427

MicroCapital’s Microfinance Universe Profile: World Vision International

https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=World+Vision

MicroCapital’s Microfinance Universe Profile: VisionFund International

https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=VisionFund+International

Browse the MicroCapital Universe and add your entry to the wiki at: https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/

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