AFA Foundation appoints AIA Australia’s Pina Sciarrone as chair

The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) has appointed Pina Sciarrone as Chair of the AFA Foundation.

AFA CEO Brad Fox said the AFA is looking forward to working with Ms Sciarrone who has a career in financial services spanning more than 20 years.

“We are delighted to now have Pina working with us to lead the work of the AFA Foundation both within and outside the financial advice community,” he said. “As a professional association, we share with our members a collective responsibility to act for the greater good of the community and the AFA Foundation provides one way in which we can do this. The role of the AFA Foundation chair is integral to making sure AFA members and corporate partners are involved in the charitable spirit of the AFA and are given the opportunity to make a difference in new ways within their local and national communities.”

The AFA Foundation has raised around $600,000 for various charities, including Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia, Red Cross (Tasmania Bushfires), Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, Cure for Life Foundation, Christchurch Earth Quake Appeal, Save the Children Fund, the Ipswich Community Fund, Make a Wish Foundation, Green Gecko, Beyond Blue and the Black Dog Institute.

Ms Sciarrone said, “The AFA Foundation does a tremendous job in raising money with the support of Australia’s financial advisers for some great causes and I want to build on this success as a part of the role. Many financial advisers I work with do a lot of charitable work, often unnoticed, in their communities. If we can continue to harness this spirit, we will make a huge difference to the lives of those Australians who need our support the most.”

Ms Sciarrone has held senior roles with AIA Australia since 2010 and has also worked at management level for Tower Australia. She is currently AIA Australia’s Head of Adviser Services.  As AFA Foundation Chair, she succeeds former AFA Victorian State Director, Esther Althaus who held the position for the past year.