Foundation Appoints Armstrong and Fay to Board
The Paul Ramsay Foundation has named Leah Armstrong and Cat Fay to its Board as part of its succession planning.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in People
The Paul Ramsay Foundation has appointed Leah Armstrong and Cat Fay to its Board. The appointments are part of the Foundation's Board succession.
Why it matters
The Board sets the Foundation's strategy and oversees where its grant money goes. The appointments are intended to strengthen the Board's expertise in First Nations economic self-determination and social investment.
The Paul Ramsay Foundation committed $320 million in grants in 2025 and has awarded $1.476 billion in grants since 2016. The source does not detail how the appointments will affect future grant volumes.
The players
Paul Ramsay Foundation
A philanthropic foundation established in 2006 by the late Paul Ramsay AO that funds initiatives addressing disadvantage across Australia.
Leah Armstrong
A Torres Strait Islander business and not-for-profit leader who formerly served as CEO of Reconciliation Australia and chairs the Foundation's First Nations Advisory Council.
Cat Fay
A founding board member of GiveOUT and Managing Partner of Community and Social Investment and ESG at Perpetual Wealth.
The details
Leah Armstrong, a Torres Strait Islander woman, brings more than 30 years of business and not-for-profit experience and previously led Reconciliation Australia. She chairs the Foundation's First Nations Advisory Council. Cat Fay is Managing Partner of Community and Social Investment and ESG at Perpetual Wealth, where she oversees about $5 billion in community investments and more than $100 million in community grants each year.
Timeline
2006: The Paul Ramsay Foundation was established by the late Paul Ramsay AO.
2016: The Foundation began awarding grants totalling $1.476 billion to date.
2025: The Foundation committed $320 million in grants.
4 November 2026: The Board appointments were announced.
Market Landscape
Philanthropic boards in Australia increasingly seek leaders with direct experience in First Nations affairs, as the Paul Ramsay Foundation's appointment of former Reconciliation Australia CEO Leah Armstrong illustrates. Fay's role overseeing corporate community investment at Perpetual Wealth places the Foundation's board alongside major financial institutions shaping social investment.
For Australians, the appointments affect where the Foundation directs its grant money, which has reached $1.476 billion since 2016. The Foundation's focus on disadvantage means these decisions shape which community programs receive funding.
The takeaway
Leadership changes at major philanthropic foundations can redirect how large grant budgets are allocated. Readers interested in social investment can track board appointments and grant commitments through published annual reports.
Further reading
Explore more People coverage across Australia.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Women's Agenda.
