The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) announces that CEO Kristy Graham has advised the Board of her decision to step down from the role, following the successful delivery of the organisation’s inaugural five-year strategy.

After leading ASFI since its inception, Ms Graham said the decision was a personal one and reflected a natural transition point for both the organisation and her own career.

“ASFI was established with a clear vision to realign the finance sector and ensure capital flows to activities that would create a sustainable, resilient and inclusive economy,” Ms Graham said.

“Five years on, ASFI has delivered significant progress, and is well placed to seize the opportunities ahead.

“I am incredibly proud of what our team, members and partners have achieved together, and I thank them for their ongoing partnership and support.

“With the foundations firmly in place and a strong track record of success, I believe now is the right time to make way for a new leader to guide the organisation through its next chapter.”

The announcement comes as ASFI prepares to celebrate its fifth anniversary later this year, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s journey.

Since its establishment in 2021, ASFI has:

• Established itself as a trusted and influential leader in sustainable finance, bringing together 36 of Australia’s largest financial institutions and serving as the key driver and convenor of the nation’s sustainable finance agenda
• Built strong partnerships between government and industry, with formal collaborations spanning Treasury, DFAT and DCCEEW, and representation on key national bodies including the Nature Finance Council and Net Zero Economy Authority Stakeholder Panel
• Demonstrated how effective multi-stakeholder processes involving government, industry, regulators and civil society can accelerate policy development and implementation, through the development of the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy in partnership with the Australian Treasury
• Built strong international relationships on sustainable finance, supporting harmonisation of approaches and enabling capital flow while strengthening market and government to government connections, including with New Zealand, Indonesia, the UK, Singapore, China and Hong Kong.
• Established impactful work programs on public policy, market standards and practice, blended finance, natural capital, First Nations and Finance and capability and leadership. These work programs have expanded the sustainable finance agenda beyond climate and are shifting how financial institutions and policy makers understand and integrate sustainability into the financial system.

ASFI Chair William McDonnell thanked Ms Graham for her leadership and contribution to establishing and growing the organisation over its first five years.

“Kristy has played a pivotal role in shaping ASFI and delivering on our vision,” Mr McDonnell said.

“She leaves the organisation in excellent shape, with a talented leadership team, a track record of effective delivery and a clear sense of purpose.

“The Board respects Kristy’s decision and thanks her for the energy, strategic vision and highly collaborative approach that she has brought to the role. Having successfully delivered the organisation’s first five years, it’s a good time to identify a new CEO to build on that success and lead the development of ASFI’s next chapter in due course.”

To support the leadership transition, Ms Graham will remain with ASFI while the Board undertakes a search for the next CEO.

“ASFI is entering an exciting new phase,” Mr McDonnell said. “This role represents a unique opportunity for an exceptional leader to build on five years of achievement and help shape ASFI’s future.”