Behind the Impact: Jennifer, Head of Social Finance
Meet Jennifer Turner, the Head of Social Finance at Sefa.
We sat down with Jennifer from our Social Finance team to hear about her day-to-day, what motivates her, and the lessons she’s picked up along the way. From navigating client challenges to celebrating the little things (like snagging the desk next to the chocolate drawer), Jennifer shares what it’s like to be part of a team driving impact in communities across Australia.
Can you tell us a little bit about your role on the team and what your day-to-day responsibilities entail?
No two days look the same. One day I’m meeting new clients to explore how Social Finance can support them to grow and become more sustainable, the next I’m finalising agreements with lawyers, working with foundations on program opportunities, or helping existing clients navigate challenges like property sales or purchases. I also prepare material for our Investment Committee and quarterly reports for Audit and Risk, while managing our loan portfolio. None of this happens in isolation – it’s a team effort across Social Finance, Sefa P and I&E, and I’m constantly learning from the people around me.
What's your go-to productivity hack when you need to power through a big project or deadline?
When I’ve got a big project or deadline, I cancel any non-priority meetings and block out calendar time to focus. Phone goes on silent, Teams chat goes off, and I let the team know so they don’t think I’m going quiet on them. I also break the work into smaller milestones to keep momentum, and clear my desk (and inbox) so there’s nothing pulling my attention away. And honestly, there's nothing like a deadline to sharpen my focus – my brain loves the pressure.
If you could switch jobs with anyone on the team for a day, who would it be and why?
I think swapping jobs with our COO would be fun – there are parts of Linda’s role I’ve never touched before, so the novelty alone would keep me on my toes. Marketing would be another pick, mostly because it’s a whole new world for me and I’d love to peek behind the curtain at how it all works.
What's the most interesting thing you've learned or accomplished in your role so far?
The most interesting thing I’ve learnt? Definitely more than one! The sector itself is new to me, and I’m constantly amazed by how many incredible organisations are out there delivering positive impact in the community. I’ve also discovered it’s possible to join a team of genuinely authentic, caring humans – that’s been a real standout. And finally, the hottest real estate in the office? Hands down, the desk next to the chocolate drawer.
What motivated you to pursue a career in this field, and how did you get started in your current role?
After 25 years in financial institutions where the focus was all about the bottom line – often with little positive impact on the community – I decided it was time for a change. I started as a banking and finance lawyer because I loved the challenge of how the law trains you to think about problem solving, and I added an overlay of banking and finance, which is all about navigating outcomes within a regulatory framework – something I’ve always enjoyed. Now, for the next 10 years, I’m excited to channel everything I’ve learnt into giving back and doing work that creates real value for people and communities.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing your team or industry right now?
The biggest challenge for our team right now is building our pipeline. We need to grow it with a diverse mix of loan opportunities – a goal we’ve all set for the next 12 months. Balancing business development with relationship management is an exciting chance to elevate the Social Finance team and showcase the impact we deliver.
Across the industry, the challenge is different. Philanthropic funding is tightening, with less appetite for property-backed opportunities and more focus on growth or working capital – which shifts greater risk onto Sefa. Add to that the lingering effects of the pandemic, global instability, wars, and local disasters like fires and floods, and there’s a sense of fatigue, with some funding also being redirected overseas.
What do you enjoy most about your job, and what advice would you give to someone who is interested in pursuing a similar career path?
I love the teamwork and collegiality in our team, and the transparency our clients bring – something rare in other lending roles. For anyone pursuing a similar career, my advice is simple: don’t stay in a role that makes you unhappy. Be brave enough to change roles or employers, and choose work you enjoy rather than what others expect of you.
Law and banking & finance have given me so much – global travel, lifelong friends, and the ability to think commercially and navigate outcomes. I’m grateful for that, and I’d encourage others to also say yes more often. Even if you don’t know everything about an opportunity, saying yes helps you learn, grow and build confidence.