ABOUT US
How it started
Thrive Refugee Enterprise was founded in 2017 by three successful Australian business leaders and philanthropists, John Curtis, Anna Curtis and Huy Truong, against the backdrop of a rapid and alarming rise in worldwide people displacement. Their aim, to help thousands of men and women refugees start their own business to live their best life in Australia.
In 2017, driven by wars and persecution, over 16 million people were displaced bringing the running 5 year total to nearly 69 million. The worldwide forced displacement by then was a new high that was led by the crisis in Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan’s war, and the flight into Bangladesh from Myanmar of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees.
Research into refugee economic participation in Australia shows that approximately 80% of humanitarian entrants over 15 years old remain unemployed 2 years after arriving in Australia. Evidence tells us that economic participation leads to greater community integration and acceptance, whilst significantly contributing to the Australian economy.
The launch of Thrive Refugee Enterprise was also made possible by funding from Corporate Australia, with Westpac making a significant and invaluable funding contribution plus loan capital, as well as contributions received from numerous Foundations and Family Offices.
Our Team
Thrive’s team is a multicultural group of professionals with a shared passion for making a positive impact in the lives of displaced people. They each bring with them a unique set of skills and experiences gained after many years working across the NFP, Corporate, Private and Government sectors.
Our leadership team are active members, advocates and contributors to Australia’s Settlement sector; the Federal Government’s Refugee & Humanitarian Program, Multicultural & Small Business Initiatives & Policies; and UNHCR.
Our client relationship managers offer outstanding support and service to help refugees with small business loans, business planning and to connect them with additional services needed for them to succeed in their business.
CLIENT RELATIONS TEAM
NSW / ACT
State Manager
Client Relationship Manager
Narges Andar
Client Relationship Officer
VIC / SA / TAS
Rozeen Raad
Client Relationship Officer
Abraham Kifle
Client Relationship Officer
State Manager
Client Relationship Manager
QLD / NT
EXECUTIVES & KEY SUPPORT
Michael Byers
Senior Credit Manager
Huy Truong
Co-Founder and Executive Chairman
Chris O’Neill
Chief Financial Officer
David Legg
Head of Credit, Risk and Compliance
Bernie Nott
Director, Strategic Projects
Alexi Boyd
Government Relations, Advisor
Annie Walsh
Head of Marketing & Communications
Linda Joy Thomas
Business Analyst - Operations, Risk & Compliance
Thrive Refugee Advisory Committee (TRAC)
Thrive is excited to announce the recent formation of the Thrive Refugee Advisory Committee (TRAC), bringing together eight Thrive refugee clients who are successfully running their own small businesses across Australia. Atefeh Hekmat, Alaa Kadem, Farhia Nur Ahmed, Pouran-Dokht Rouhi Golgoo, Reveka Hurtado, Samiulla Noori, Ihor Sydorenko and Jankey Osman Joweesh.
The TRAC will help advise Thrive on operational priorities and opportunities to further grow economic participation among refugees that delivers a flow on contribution to the Australian economy.