Gemma Fernihough
Sydney,NSW
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Investment Analyst
Ministry For The Environment, New Zealand Govt
09.2020 - 01.2023
- Fund management of $10 million Community Environment Fund and development of catchment group theme for $100 million Essential Freshwater Fund.
- Collaboratively designed project proposals totaling $12 million with catchment group NGOs and presented to multi-agency steering group. Both projects were approved for funding deed development.
- Developed, procured and oversaw impact investment program to develop impact framework and financial sustainability selection criteria. Program design was inclusive of five pilot projects which were supported to become impact investment ready.
- Represented Ministry on Waikato Regional Strategic Fund cross agency group for region and by creating connections between projects and funding agencies secured additional funding for previously underfunded Maori led wetland project.
- Contract management of funding contracts with combined value of over $20 million- analysed performance and financial management of 10 environmental projects and improved delivery confidence on three of poorest performing projects by 30-50%.
- Sat on Board or steering group of each project/organisation - provided strategic guidance which led to a complex project with multiple delivery partners being entirely re-scoped to ensure its overarching aim was delivered.
Operations Manager
Pirongia Te Aroaro O Kahu Restoration Society
03.2020 - 08.2020
- People management of 300 volunteers that donate time to conservation work on Mt Pirongia and Pureora Forest Park
- Development of vision and strategy for environmental education and ecological corridor projects - both projects secured funding and moved to implementation phase.
Project Manager
Whāingaroa Environment Centre
11.2018 - 07.2019
- Contract role creating and implementing and managing project plan to develop conservation awareness, science communication and community engagement on range of coastal issues.
- Strengthened partnerships with Department of Conservation, Tangata whenua (indigenous community), regional and district councils who all became delivery partners on Marine Matters project.
- Managed team to deliver surveying effort of 800 fishermen to measure Māui dolphin awareness and consulted over 1800 members of public on these conservation issues.
- Engaged and motivated general public to submit to Māui Dolphin Threat Management Plan review. Promoted this public consultation period through production of appeal film that reached over 6000 people.
Researcher
University Of Waikato
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Two ten-week summer positions to research stingray habitat use and analyse Antarctic penguin diet using DNA-based technologies.
- Experimental design, sampling, fieldwork and laboratory work whilst working effectively within team in research environment.
- Scientific writing and findings presentation to range of stakeholders. Stingray habitat paper was published.
Research & Strategy
Opportunity International
12.2012 - 04.2013
- A five month internship processing and analysing data that sought to measure impact of microfinance and community development programs in India and the Philippines
- Reviewed and edited networks first ever social return on investment (SROI) paper - india pilot was then rolled out to the Philippines
Partnerships Manager
Prime PLC
04.2009 - 04.2012
- Business development for property development group - researching acquisition opportunities and presenting recommendations to executive team.
- Successful grant application to fund knowledge transfer partnership with University of Birmingham to recruit graduate to develop metrics database to service all teams across group.
- Stakeholder management - governance reporting to all six equity partners in Local Improvement Finance Trust which developed multi-million pound health and social care infrastructure.
- Led strategic assessment of estate rationalisation options which examined condition and utilisation of 350 facilities across Birmingham. Findings were presented to the NHS Finance Director who used analysis and recommendations to close buildings and commission new developments.
Education
Managing Successful Programmes -
PRINCE2
2022
NZ Certificate in Tikanga (Mātauranga Māori) -
Te Wānanga O Aotearoa
New Zealand2021
Bachelor of Science -
University of Waikato
New Zealand2018
Project Management Professional Certificate -
Project Management Institute
2014
Masters of Business - Management
University of Warwick Business School
UK2008
Bachelor of Law -
University of Cardiff
UK2007
Skills
- Strategic thinking - strong ability to consolidate and analyse information from multitude of sources to design priorities and make well researched, succinct recommendations that seek to optimise or grow business/fund performance
- Relationship management - strengthening relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders through effective, clear communication and delivering results
- Leadership - mentored fund analysts to develop team and led with a composed and enthusiastic manner in often complex and ambiguous circumstances
- Volunteering - Project Manager for Raleigh International for 5 months Led and motivated a large group of 17 to 24-year old's on two sustainable charity projects in remote and challenging living conditions in Costa Rica and Nicaragua
- Hiking, diving, horse-riding and time with family
Timeline
Senior Investment Analyst
Ministry For The Environment, New Zealand Govt
09.2020 - 01.2023
Operations Manager
Pirongia Te Aroaro O Kahu Restoration Society
03.2020 - 08.2020
Project Manager
Whāingaroa Environment Centre
11.2018 - 07.2019
Researcher
University Of Waikato
01.2016 - 01.2018
Research & Strategy
Opportunity International
12.2012 - 04.2013
Partnerships Manager
Prime PLC
04.2009 - 04.2012
Managing Successful Programmes -
PRINCE2
NZ Certificate in Tikanga (Mātauranga Māori) -
Te Wānanga O Aotearoa
Bachelor of Science -
University of Waikato
Project Management Professional Certificate -
Project Management Institute
Masters of Business - Management
University of Warwick Business School
Bachelor of Law -
University of Cardiff
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